ABSTRACT
First Person is a series of interviews with the first authors of a selection of papers published in Journal of Cell Science, helping researchers promote themselves alongside their papers. Itziar Pinilla-Macua is first author on ‘ Cell migration signaling through the EGFR-VAV2-Rac1 pathway is sustained in endosomes’, published in JCS. Itziar is a research instructor in the lab of Alexander Sorkin at Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh, USA. Her main interest is in understanding how EGF receptor signaling is modulated through endocytosis and degradation, and how it can be used in EGFR-related malignancies.
Itziar Pinilla-Macua
How would you explain the main findings of your paper in lay terms?
EGF receptor signalling is involved in many cellular outcomes, one of which is cell migration. Cell migration is crucial in cancer because it can lead to metastasis. In the present study, we link EGFR signalling from intracellular compartments to cell migration towards EGF. This process requires the VAV2-Rac1 axis and EGFR internalization through clathrin-mediated endocytosis.
Were there any specific challenges associated with this project? If so, how did you overcome them?
Working with physiological concentrations of EGF, which are low and induce limited activation of the receptor, was a challenge. However, we increased the amount of protein used for activated protein detection. Imaging fluorescently tagged proteins expressed at endogenous levels, particularly when the protein is of low abundance, also posed a challenge. To overcome this, we used life-cell imaging with a high-performance microscopy system.
When doing the research, did you have a particular result or ‘eureka’ moment that has stuck with you?
Finding the VAV2-Rac1 axis in EGF-EGFR-containing endosomes was crucial, because previous work from the lab on EGFR signaling demonstrated a separation of activated EGFR from H-Ras following receptor endocytosis.
Why did you choose Journal of Cell Science for your paper?
Journal of Cell Science focuses on publishing articles on a wide range of cell biology topics, making it a good fit for our current research on EGFR-VAV2-Rac1 signaling and cell migration.
Have you had any significant mentors who have helped you beyond supervision in the lab? How was their guidance special?
Active communication with lab and department members, beyond brainstorming with my supervisor/mentor, has been a valuable source of ideas for implementing experiments and troubleshooting.
What motivated you to pursue a career in science, and what have been the most interesting moments on the path that led you to where you are now?
I have always been curious about science, particularly biology. During my PhD, I merged basic cell biology studies with cancer therapeutics and the subcellular localization of proteins of interest. This motivated me to move to Pittsburgh for my postdoc in Alexander Sorkin's lab, where I studied EGFR endocytosis and subcellular compartments using state-of-the art microscopy systems.
Who are your role models in science? Why?
Throughout my career, I have encountered many excellent researchers who have inspired and motivated me. I am not referring to well-known names in science, but rather young and resilient Principal Investigators who have been able to maintain their curiosity and passion for cell biology despite the ups and downs of their careers.
What's next for you?
I am currently considering moving forward in academia and applying for a tenure-track faculty position. However, leaving academia is also a possibility, you never know where life or science might take you.
Tell us something interesting about yourself that wouldn't be on your CV
I am a creative person, which is sometimes useful for overcoming challenges in science. Think outside the box!
Itziar Pinilla-Macua's contact details: Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop street, S372 BST-South, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
E-mail: [email protected]
