John Silke
Papers
1
Total Citations
168
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1
About
John Silke is a leading figure in cell death research, whose work has fundamentally shaped our understanding of how inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins control life-and-death decisions in cells. His key research areas include the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis, necroptosis, and the role of ubiquitin signalling in inflammation and cancer. Silke’s major contributions centre on elucidating how IAP proteins, particularly cIAP1 and cIAP2, act as critical negative regulators of cell death. His landmark 2008 study on the structures of the cIAP2 RING domain (168 citations) revealed how conformational changes drive the recruitment of ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes (E2s), providing a mechanistic basis for how IAP antagonists trigger ubiquitylation and degradation to unleash cell death. This work has been pivotal in understanding why IAPs are highly expressed in many cancers and how they can be therapeutically targeted. With thousands of citations across his body of work, Silke’s research has not only advanced fundamental biology but also directly informed the development of clinical IAP antagonists, making him a highly influential voice in translational cell death research.
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Top Papers
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