Wilma A. Hofmann PhD
Wilma A. Hofmann
PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Physiology and Biophysics
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Specialty/Research Focus
Cancer Treatment and Prevention; Cytoskeleton and cell motility; Eukaryotic Pathogenesis; Gene Expression; Metabolism; Molecular and Cellular Biology; Molecular Basis of Disease; Molecular genetics; Pathophysiology; Pathophysiology; Protein Function and Structure; Transcription - Gene; Transcription and Translation; Transcription Factors
Professional Summary:
In my laboratory, we are interested in structural components of the cell, their role in establishing and regulating cellular functions, and how this regulation translates into physiological consequences in health and disease.
We have two major focus areas: 1) The role of cytoskeletal elements in prostate cancer development and progression and 2) The role of nucleoskeletal elements in establishing and maintaining nuclear structure and function.
1) The majority of death from cancer is caused by metastasis, the spreading of cancer cells from the site of a primary tumor to other body parts. We use a combination of biochemical, cell biological, physiological, and translational approaches to elucidate the mechanisms that are involved in the acquisition of metastatic phenotypes. Specifically, we focus on the role that myosins play in this process. We are also interested in how dietary fats can contribute to the development of metastatic phenotypes in prostate cancer cells.
2) Aberrations in nuclear structure and dynamics are the underlying cause of diseases ranging from cancer to premature aging. We are interested in the role of nuclear actin and myosins in regulating dynamic nuclear processes such as nucleolar assembly and functions in health and disease.
Education and Training:
- PhD, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Wuerzburg (2002)
- MS, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Wuerzburg (1999)
Employment:
- Associate Professor, Physiology and Biophysics, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2015-present)
- Assistant Professor, Physiology and Biophysics, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2008–2015)
- Research Assistant Professor, Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois at Chicago School of Medicine (2005–2008)
- Postdoctoral Research Associate, Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois at Chicago School of Medicine (2002–2005)
Grants and Sponsored Research:
- August 2023–July 2028
Therapeutic targeting of master regulators in non-canonical AR driven advanced lethal prostate cancers
NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator - August 2017–July 2022
Role of myosin IC in prostate cancer metastasis
NIH/NCI
Role: Principal Investigator
$478,500 - September 2014–September 2017
Defining the link between obesity and aggressive prostate cancer
DoD CDMRP
Role: Principal Investigator
$598,000 - September 2012–September 2015
The Role of a Novel Myosin Isoform in Prostate Cancer
DoD CDMRP
Role: Principal Investigator
$340,070
Journal Articles:
- Szigeti K, Ihnatovych I, Notari E, Dorn RP, Maly I, He M, Birkaya B, Prasad S, Byrne RS, Indurthi DC, Nimmer E, Heo Y, Retfalvi K, Chaves L, Sule N, Hofmann WA, Auerbach A, Wilding G, Bae Y, Reynolds J. (2024) CHRFAM7A diversifies human immune adaption through Ca2+ signalling and actin cytoskeleton reorganization. EBioMedicine (Apr), 103: 105093. doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105093
- Szigeti K, Ihnatovych I, Rosas N, Dorn RP, Notari E, Cortes Gomez E, He M, Maly I, Prasad S, Nimmer E, Heo Y, Fuchsova B, Bennett DA, Hofmann WA, Pralle A, Bae Y, Wang J. (2023) Neuronal actin cytoskeleton gain of function in the human brain. EBioMedicine (Jul), 95: 104725. doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104725
- Maly IV, Hofmann WA. (2022) Bayesian inference of molecular kinetic parameters from astrocyte calcium imaging data. MethodsX (Sep), 9: 101825. doi:10.1016/j.mex.2022.101825
- Maly IV, Hofmann WA, Pletnikov MV. (2022) Experimental and computational analyses of calcium dynamics in 22q11.2 deletion model astrocytes. Neuroscience letters (Jul), 783: 136711.
- Maly IV, Hofmann WA. (2022) Bayesian inference of molecular kinetic parameters from astrocyte calcium imaging data. MethodsX (Jan), 9: 101825. doi:10.1016/j.mex.2022.101825
- Saidova AA, Potashnikova DM, Tvorogova AV, Paklina OV, Veliev EI, Knyshinsky GV, Setdikova GR, Rotin DL, Maly IV, Hofmann WA, Vorobjev IA. (2021) Myosin 1C isoform A is a novel candidate diagnostic marker for prostate cancer. PloS one (Jan), 16(5): e0251961.
- Maly IV, Hofmann WA. (2020) Effect of Palmitic Acid on Exosome-Mediated Secretion and Invasive Motility in Prostate Cancer Cells. Molecules (Jun), 25(12).
- Maly IV, Hofmann WA. (2020) Myosins in the Nucleus. Adv Exp Med Biol (May), 1239: 199-231.
- Bratton BA, Maly IV, Hofmann WA. (2019) Effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids on proliferation and survival of prostate cancer cells. PLoS One (Jul), 14(7): 0219822-0219822.
- Saidova AA, Potashnikova DM, Tvorogova AV, Maly IV, Hofmann WA, Vorobjev IA. (2018) Specific and reliable detection of Myosin 1C isoform A by RTqPCR in prostate cancer cells. PeerJ (Nov), 6: 5970-5970.
- Maly IV, Hofmann WA. (2018) Fatty Acids and Calcium Regulation in Prostate Cancer. Nutrients (Jun), 10(6).
- Maly IV, Hofmann WA. (2018) Calcium and Nuclear Signaling in Prostate Cancer. Int J Mol Sci (Apr), 19(4).
- Maly IV, Domaradzki TM, Gosy VA, Hofmann WA. (2017) Myosin isoform expressed in metastatic prostate cancer stimulates cell invasion. Sci Rep (Aug), 7(1): 8476-8476.
- Maly IV, Hofmann WA. (2016) Calcium-regulated import of myosin IC into the nucleus. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) (Jun), 73(7): 341-350.
- Karacosta LG, Kuroski LA, Hofmann WA, Azabdaftari G, Mastri M, Gocher AM, Dai S, Hoste AJ, Edelman AM. (2016) Nucleoporin 62 and Ca(2+) /calmodulin dependent kinase kinase 2 regulate androgen receptor activity in castrate resistant prostate cancer cells. Prostate (Feb), 76(3): 294-306.
- Karacosta LG, Kuroski LK, Hofmann WA, Azabdaftari G, Mastri M, Gocher AG, Dai S, Hoste A.J., Edelman AM. (2016) Nucleoporin 62 and Ca2+/calmodulin dependent kinase kinase 2 regulate androgen receptor activity in castrate resistant prostate cancer cells. The Prostate (Feb), 76(3): 294-306.
- Migocka-Patrzalek M, Makowiecka A, Nowak D, Mazur AJ, Hofmann WA, Malicka-Blaszkiewicz M. (2015) ß- and ?-Actins in the nucleus of human melanoma A375 cells. Histochem Cell Biol (Nov), 144(5): 417-428.
- Ihnatovych I, Sielski NL, Hofmann WA. (2014) Selective Expression of Myosin IC Isoform A in Mouse and Human Cell Lines and Mouse Prostate Cancer Tissues. PLoS One (Sep), 9(9): 108609-108609.
- Sielski NL, Ihnatovych I, Hagen JJ, Hofmann WA. (2014) Tissue specific expression of myosin IC isoforms. BMC Cell Biol (Mar), 15: 8-8.
- Schwab RS, Ihnatovych I, Yunus SZ, Domaradzki T, Hofmann WA. (2013) Identification of signals that facilitate isoform specific nucleolar localization of myosin IC. Exp Cell Res (May), 319(8): 1111-1123.
- Simon DN, Domaradzki T, Hofmann WA, Wilson KL. (2013) Lamin A tail modification by SUMO1 is disrupted by familial partial lipodystrophy-causing mutations. Mol Biol Cell (Feb), 24(3): 342-350.
- Ihnatovych I, Migocka-Patrzalek M, Dukh M, Hofmann WA. (2012) Identification and characterization of a novel myosin Ic isoform that localizes to the nucleus. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) (Aug), 69(8): 555-565.
- Hofmann WA, Arduini A, Nicol SM, Camacho CJ, Lessard JL, Fuller-Pace FV, de Lanerolle P. (2009) SUMOylation of nuclear actin. J Cell Biol (Jul), 186(2): 193-200.
- Hofmann WA, Richards TA, de Lanerolle P. (2009) Ancient animal ancestry for nuclear myosin. J Cell Sci (Mar), 122(Pt 5): 636-643.
- Hofmann WA. (2009) Cell and molecular biology of nuclear actin. Int Rev Cell Mol Biol (Jan), 273: 219-263.
- Hofmann WA, Vargas GM, Ramchandran R, Stojiljkovic L, Goodrich JA, de Lanerolle P,. (2006) Nuclear myosin I is necessary for the formation of the first phosphodiester bond during transcription initiation by RNA polymerase II. J Cell Biochem (Nov), 99(4): 1001-1009.
- Hofmann WA, Johnson T, Klapczynski M, Fan JL, de Lanerolle P. (2006) From transcription to transport: emerging roles for nuclear myosin I. Biochem Cell Biol (Aug), 84(4): 418-426.
- Hofmann WA, de Lanerolle P. (2006) Nuclear actin: to polymerize or not to polymerize. J Cell Biol (Feb), 172(4): 495-496.
- de Lanerolle P, Johnson T, Hofmann WA. (2005) Actin and myosin I in the nucleus: what next?. Nat Struct Mol Biol (Sep), 12(9): 742-746.
- Philimonenko VV, Zhao J, Iben S, Dingová H, Kyselá K, Kahle M, Zentgraf H, Hofmann WA, de Lanerolle P, Hozák P, Grummt I. (2004) Nuclear actin and myosin I are required for RNA polymerase I transcription. Nat Cell Biol (Dec), 6(12): 1165-1172.
- Hofmann WA, Stojiljkovic L, Fuchsova B, Vargas GM, Mavrommatis E, Philimonenko V, Kysela K, Goodrich JA, Lessard JL, Hope TJ, Hozak P, de Lanerolle P. (2004) Actin is part of pre-initiation complexes and is necessary for transcription by RNA polymerase II. Nat Cell Biol (Nov), 6(11): 1094-1101.
- Hofmann W, Reichart B, Ewald A, Müller E, Schmitt I, Stauber RH, Lottspeich F, Jockusch BM, Scheer U, Hauber J, Dabauvalle MC. (2001) Cofactor requirements for nuclear export of Rev response element (RRE)- and constitutive transport element (CTE)-containing retroviral RNAs. An unexpected role for actin. J Cell Biol (Mar), 152(5): 895-910.
- Mikhail Pletnikov Ivan V. Maly Wilma A. Hofmann. (1900) Experimental and computational analyses of calcium dynamics in 22q11.2 deletion model astrocytes. Journal (Jan)
Books and Book Chapters:
- Hofmann WA and de Lanerolle P. (2006) Gene Expression and Regulation. In: Actin, Actin-Related Proteins and Actin-Binding Proteins in Transcriptional control. Springer
Professional Memberships:
- American Association of Cell Biology (2002–present)
- German Society for Cell Biology (1999–present)
Presentations:
- "MyoIC-A a new biomarker and potential treatment target for metastatic prostate cancer" Buffalo Cancer Consortium Seminar Series (2021)
- "The role of fatty acids in prostate cancer metastasis." 2nd International Prostate Cancer Symposium (2016)
- "Structure-function analysis of myosin IC proteins" Wenner-Gren Symposium “Nuclear Dynamics: Design (and) Principles” (2015)
- "The Role of a Novel Myosin in Prostate Cancer Metastasis" 4th Congress on Cancer Science & Therapy (2014)
- "Insights into Nuclear Myosin Regulation" 51st Annual Meeting of The American Society for Cell Biology, (2011)
- "SUMO2 and 3: New Pieces in the Nuclear Actin Puzzle" 45th Annual Meeting of The Polish Biochemical Society (2010)
- "SUMO2 and 3: New Pieces in the Nuclear Actin Puzzle" 48th Annual Meeting of The American Society for Cell Biology (2008)
Service Activities:
- Faculty Council Past President (2022–2023)
- Faculty Mentoring Committee, Committee Member (2022–present)
- Institutional Planning & Policy Domain Subcommittee, Committee Member (2022)
- Topic Editor for Frontiers in Pharmacology; Topic: Cytoskeletal Components as Biomarkers and Targets for Anti-Cancer Therapy: How Treatment of the Cytoskeleton can Inhibit Tumor Progression; Topic Editor for Frontiers in Pharmacology (2021–present)
- Faculty Council President (2021–2022)
- UB Cancer Research Consortium Steering Committee; Steering Committee Member (2021–present)
- Basic Science Representative to the Governing Board of the Faculty Practice (2020–2022)
- Faculty Council President Elect (2020–2021)
- Natural Sciences Interdisciplinary MS Program Committee, Committee Member (2019–2021)
- PPBS Curriculum Development Committee, Member (2019–2020)
- Physiology Graduate Program Admissions Committee, Committee Member (2019–present)
- Biophysics Graduate Program Admissions Committee, Committee Member (2019–present)
- Jacobs School Representative to the Faculty Senate; UB Faculty Senator (2018–2022)
- Editorial Board Member, Scientific Reports (2018–2023)
- JSMBS Executive Committee, Faculty Council Representative (2018–2022)
- Departmental Seminar Committee, Committee Member (2018–2023)
- Student Appeals Committee, Committee Member (2018–present)
- Diversity and Inclusion Advocate for the Department of Physiology and Biophysics (2018–present)
- PPBS Steering Committee, Committee Member (2015–2019)
- PPBS Admissions Reviewer (2015–present)