Dr. B Pfeffer

Biography

The Pfeffer Lab utilizes biochemical and cell biological genome-wide screening approaches to understand the molecular basis of inherited Parkinson's disease, a condition that currently affects more than 6 million individuals globally. The lab is renowned for pioneering the study of Rab GTPases, which are master regulators of receptor trafficking within cells. The human genome encodes approximately 65 Rabs, with a subset of Rabs being major substrates for the LRRK2 kinase, whose mutation and activation lead to inherited Parkinson's disease. The research elucidates how LRRK2-mediated Rab phosphorylation acts as a switch, causing Rabs to fail in binding to their normal partners and instead bind to a new set of proteins. The lab has demonstrated new interactions that inhibit the formation of primary cilia, which are critical signaling structures on the surface of cells. Current studies focus on the molecular and cellular consequences of phosphoRab-specific protein partner interactions regulated by LRRK2 phosphorylation, particularly through the activity of the Rab-specific phosphatase, PPM1H.

Research Interests