Jacqui Matthews
LIM domains are zinc-binding modules that are found in many proteins, including a number of transcription factors. Proteins such as LMO2 and LMO4 (LIM-only 2 and 4) consist almost entirely of two LIM domains.
These proteins are involved in regulating the development of various cell types. Inappropriate expression of LMO2 in T-cells is linked with the development of T-cell leukemias, while LMO4 has been implicated in breast cancer.
Given that LIM domains are thought to be protein-protein interaction motifs, we believe that LMO proteins act as bridges, bringing together a number of other proteins (including LDB1, TAL1, and the breast cancer related protein BRCA1) to form regulatory complexes.
We are using a range of biophysical, molecular biological and biochemical approaches to characterize these complexes. We hope to use this information to design specific molecules to inhibit the aberrant activity of these proteins in human disease.