Biology

Dr. Samir Merabet
CNRS/ENS Lyon

In all animals, a relatively small repertoire of conserved molecules orchestrates the embryonic development. These molecules contain short peptide motifs that act as sensitive modules for establishing transient interaction networks (interactomes) with context-specific cofactors. Our recent work revealed that these motifs could also have opposite activities, inhibiting rather than promoting protein-protein interactions. Here I will present the versatile function of a unique Hox protein motif in different developmental contexts. These results highlight an astonishing level of molecular complexity and the importance of using cutting-edge approaches to dissect Hox interaction properties in vivo.