Dr Gernot Walko
Senior Lecturer in Squamous Cell Carcinogenesis
Institute of Dentistry / Centre for Oral Immunobiology and Regen
Queen Mary University of London
Queen Mary University of London
Research
Squamous cell carcinoma, Cell signalling, Skin biology, Hippo/YAP/TAZ signalling
Interests
Using state of the art proteomics and transcriptomics approaches and RNA interference and CRISPR/Cas9 technologies in combination with (i) conventional 2D cell culture techniques, (ii) 3D-organotypic SCC equivalents, and (iii) zebrafish xenograft squamous cell carcinoma models, the Walko lab is defining overlapping and non-redundant roles of the oncoproteins YAP and TAZ in human SCC initiation and progression and identifying the different transcriptional binding partners that enable YAP/TAZ to execute their various downstream transcriptional programmes.Publications
Publications of specific relevance to Predictive in vitro Models2024
Bojko J, Howard A, Lay E, Gallacher K, Flynn B and Walko G (2024). 409 A non-transcriptional function of the oncoprotein YAP contributes to squamous cell carcinogenesis. Elsevier Journal of Investigative Dermatology vol. 144, (12) Jungwirth U and Walko G (2024). Boosting Skin Wound Healing by Agrin-Mediated YAP/TAZ Activation. Elsevier Journal of Investigative Dermatology vol. 145, (1) 6-8. Kontou I, Pourzand C, Walko G and Jungwirth U (2024). P04 How fibroblasts and azathioprine prepare the soil for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Lay E, Grant T, Walko G and Jungwirth U (2024). Generation of 3D Fibroblast-Derived Extracellular Matrix and Analysis of Tumor Cell-Matrix Interactions and Signaling. Imaging Cell Signaling Springer Nature 2022
Bojko J and Walko G (2022). ESDR430 - A non-transcriptional role of the oncoprotein YAP in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Howard A, Bojko J, Flynn B, Bowen S, Jungwirth U and Walko G (2022). Targeting the Hippo/YAP/TAZ signalling pathway: Novel opportunities for therapeutic interventions into skin cancers. Wiley Experimental Dermatology vol. 31, (10) 1477-1499. 2020
Valencia RG, Mihailovska E, Winter L, Bauer K, Fischer I, Walko G, Jorgacevski J, Potokar M, Zorec R and Wiche G (2020). Plectin dysfunction in neurons leads to tau accumulation on microtubules affecting neuritogenesis, organelle trafficking, pain sensitivity and memory. Wiley Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology vol. 47, (1) 73-95. 2019
Negri VA, Logtenberg MEW, Renz LM, Oules B, Walko G and Watt FM (2019). Delta-like 1-mediated cis-inhibition of Jagged1/2 signalling inhibits differentiation of human epidermal cells in culture. Springer Nature Scientific Reports vol. 9, (1) Rognoni E and Walko G (2019). The Roles of YAP/TAZ and the Hippo Pathway in Healthy and Diseased Skin. MDPI AG Cells vol. 8, (5) 411-411. Mobasseri SA, Zijl S, Salameti V, Walko G, Stannard A, Garcia-Manyes S and Watt FM (2019). Patterning of human epidermal stem cells on undulating elastomer substrates reflects differences in cell stiffness. Elsevier Acta Biomaterialia vol. 87, 256-264. 2018
Zijl S, Vasilevich AS, Viswanathan P, Helling AL, Beijer NRM, Walko G, Chiappini C, de Boer J and Watt FM (2018). Micro-scaled topographies direct differentiation of human epidermal stem cells. Elsevier Acta Biomaterialia vol. 84, 133-145. 2017
Mishra A, Oulès B, Pisco AO, Ly T, Liakath-Ali K, Walko G, Viswanathan P, Tihy M, Nijjher J, Dunn S-J, Lamond AI and Watt FM (2017). A protein phosphatase network controls the temporal and spatial dynamics of differentiation commitment in human epidermis. eLife eLife vol. 6, Walko G, Woodhouse S, Pisco AO, Rognoni E, Liakath-Ali K, Lichtenberger BM, Mishra A, Telerman SB, Viswanathan P, Logtenberg M, Renz LM, Donati G, Quist SR and Watt FM (2017). A genome-wide screen identifies YAP/WBP2 interplay conferring growth advantage on human epidermal stem cells. Springer Nature Nature Communications vol. 8, (1) 2015
Osmanagic-Myers S, Rus S, Wolfram M, Brunner D, Goldmann WH, Bonakdar N, Fischer I, Reipert S, Zuzuarregui A, Walko G and Wiche G (2015). Plectin reinforces vascular integrity by mediating crosstalk between the vimentin and the actin networks. The Company of Biologists Development vol. 142, (23) e1.1-e1.1. 
Almeida FV, Walko G, McMillan JR, McGrath JA, Wiche G, Barber AH and Connelly JT (2015). The cytolinker plectin regulates nuclear mechanotransduction in keratinocytes. The Company of Biologists Journal of Cell Science vol. 128, (24) 4475-4486. Walko G, Castañón MJ and Wiche G (2015). Molecular architecture and function of the hemidesmosome. Springer Nature Cell and Tissue Research vol. 360, (3) 529-544. Rezniczek GA, Winter L, Walko G and Wiche G (2015). Chapter Thirteen Functional and Genetic Analysis of Plectin in Skin and Muscle. Elsevier Methods in Enzymology vol. 569, 235-259. Osmanagic-Myers S, Rus S, Wolfram M, Brunner D, Goldmann WH, Bonakdar N, Fischer I, Reipert S, Zuzuarregui A, Walko G and Wiche G (2015). Plectin reinforces vascular integrity by mediating crosstalk between the vimentin and the actin networks. The Company of Biologists Journal of Cell Science vol. 128, (22) 4138-4150. 2014
Walko G, Castañón MJ and Wiche G (2014). Molecular architecture and function of the hemidesmosome. Springer Nature Cell and Tissue Research vol. 360, (2) 363-378. Bonakdar N, Schilling A, Spörrer M, Lennert P, Mainka A, Winter L, Walko G, Wiche G, Fabry B and Goldmann WH (2014). Determining the mechanical properties of plectin in mouse myoblasts and keratinocytes. Elsevier Experimental Cell Research vol. 331, (2) 331-337. Jungwirth U, Gojo J, Tuder T, Walko G, Holcmann M, Schöfl T, Nowikovsky K, Wilfinger N, Schoonhoven S, Kowol CR, Lemmens-Gruber R, Heffeter P, Keppler BK and Berger W (2014). Calpain-Mediated Integrin Deregulation as a Novel Mode of Action for the Anticancer Gallium Compound KP46. American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Molecular Cancer Therapeutics vol. 13, (10) 2436-2449. 2013
Gregor M, Osmanagic‐Myers S, Burgstaller G, Wolfram M, Fischer I, Walko G, Resch GP, Jörgl A, Herrmann H and Wiche G (2013). Mechanosensing through focal adhesion‐anchored intermediate filaments. Wiley The FASEB Journal vol. 28, (2) 715-729. Walko G, Wögenstein KL, Winter L, Fischer I, Feltri ML and Wiche G (2013). Stabilization of the dystroglycan complex in Cajal bands of myelinating Schwann cells through plectin‐mediated anchorage to vimentin filaments. Wiley Glia vol. 61, (8) 1274-1287. Castañón MJ, Walko G, Winter L and Wiche G (2013). Plectin–intermediate filament partnership in skin, skeletal muscle, and peripheral nerve. Springer Nature Histochemistry and Cell Biology vol. 140, (1) 33-53. Valencia RG, Walko G, Janda L, Novacek J, Mihailovska E, Reipert S, Andrä-Marobela K and Wiche G (2013). Intermediate filament-associated cytolinker plectin 1c destabilizes microtubules in keratinocytes. American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) Molecular Biology of the Cell vol. 24, (6) 768-784. 2011
Walko G, Vukasinovic N, Gross K, Fischer I, Sibitz S, Fuchs P, Reipert S, Jungwirth U, Berger W, Salzer U, Carugo O, Castañón MJ and Wiche G (2011). Targeted Proteolysis of Plectin Isoform 1a Accounts for Hemidesmosome Dysfunction in Mice Mimicking the Dominant Skin Blistering Disease EBS-Ogna. Public Library of Science (PLoS) PLOS Genetics vol. 7, (12) 2010
Rezniczek GA, Walko G and Wiche G (2010). Plectin Gene Defects Lead to Various Forms of Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex. Elsevier Dermatologic Clinics vol. 28, (1) 33-41. 2009
Fuchs P, Zörer M, Reipert S, Rezniczek GA, Propst F, Walko G, Fischer I, Bauer J, Leschnik MW, Lüscher B, Thalhammer JG, Lassmann H and Wiche G (2009). Targeted Inactivation of a Developmentally Regulated Neural Plectin Isoform (Plectin 1c) in Mice Leads to Reduced Motor Nerve Conduction Velocity*. Elsevier Journal of Biological Chemistry vol. 284, (39) 26502-26509. Kostan J, Gregor M, Walko G and Wiche G (2009). Plectin Isoform-dependent Regulation of Keratin-Integrin α6β4 Anchorage via Ca2+/Calmodulin*. Elsevier Journal of Biological Chemistry vol. 284, (27) 18525-18536. 2007
Ackerl R, Walko G, Fuchs P, Fischer I, Schmuth M and Wiche G (2007). Conditional targeting of plectin in prenatal and adult mouse stratified epithelia causes keratinocyte fragility and lesional epidermal barrier defects. The Company of Biologists Journal of Cell Science vol. 120, (14) 2435-2443. 2006
Osmanagic-Myers S, Gregor M, Walko G, Burgstaller G, Reipert S and Wiche G (2006). Plectin-controlled keratin cytoarchitecture affects MAP kinases involved in cellular stress response and migration. Rockefeller University Press Journal of Cell Biology vol. 174, (4) 557-568. 2001
Hartmann R, Walko G and Justesen J (2001). Inhibition of 2′‐5′ oligoadenylate synthetase by divalent metal ions. Wiley FEBS Letters vol. 507, (1) 54-58.