2006 — 2010 |
Jiang, Xuejun |
R01Activity Code Description: To support a discrete, specified, circumscribed project to be performed by the named investigator(s) in an area representing his or her specific interest and competencies. |
Molecular Regulation of Apoptosome Activity @ Sloan-Kettering Institute For Cancer Res
[unreadable] DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a process that multicellular organisms utilize to eliminate unwanted or damaged cells to maintain tissue homeostasis. It plays a critical role in development, immune responses and many other physiological events. Deregulation of apoptosis can lead to diseases such as cancer, immune disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases. Molecularly, apoptosis is executed by proteases known as caspases, and in mammals, a major caspase activation pathway is the cytochrome c-mediated pathway. In this pathway, caspase activation is initiated by cytochrome c release from mitochondria and subsequent assembly of a multimeric protein complex, the apoptosome, which is the central caspase activation machinery. Recently, we identified a new regulatory pathway that controls apoptosome activity. This regulatory pathway can be triggered by a synthetic compound, alpha-(trichloromethyl)-4-Pyridineethanol (PETCM), and the pathway is modulated by both the tumor suppressor PHAP (putative HLA-associated protein) and the oncoprotein prothymosin-alpha (ProT), indicating its potential involvement in oncogenesis. In this proposal, we will investigate the molecular mechanisms of the PETCM-initiated, apoptosome -regulatory pathway, including the mechanism by which PETCM initiates the pathway, and the mechanism by which PHAP stimulates apoptosome activity. In addition, we will determine the structural basis for the apoptotic and tumor suppressive activities of PHAP, and test whether the apoptotic activity of PHAP contributes to its tumor suppressive property. In conducting these studies, techniques of biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, and chemical biology will be used. This research will elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the death regulatory pathway and facilitate understanding of its physiological functions. This work should also shed light on designing novel cancer therapies by targeting this pathway. [unreadable] [unreadable]
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0.907 |
2013 — 2014 |
Du, Yi-Chieh Nancy [⬀] Jiang, Xuejun |
R21Activity Code Description: To encourage the development of new research activities in categorical program areas. (Support generally is restricted in level of support and in time.) |
Autophagy in Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor Growth and Metastasis @ Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Autophagy is a cellular catabolic process mediated by a unique intracellular membrane trafficking process and executed by lysosomal degrading activity. It is conserved in all eukaryotic cells and crucial for various physiological events. Deregulation of autophagy has been implicated as a pathogenic factor for multiple human diseases, including cancer. Recent progresses have led to the identification of a central molecular pathway for autophagy, making it possible to understand the mechanism underlying the role of autophagy in cancer progression and to develop autophagy-targeted agents for potential therapeutic purposes. Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are the second most common malignancy of the pancreas. The incidence of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors has continued to rise in recent decades. Most pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are already metastatic by the time they are diagnosed, and metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors remain incurable. It is therefore important to get better molecular understanding of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors progression and to develop new therapeutic agents for combating this devastating disease. Recent evidence, largely based on in vitro cell culture and xenograft studies, suggests that autophagy might be involved in pancreatic tumor development. However, there lacks in vivo studies to address the role of autophagy in pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer. In this proposal, by using an avian virus RCASBP and SV40 large T antigen-based in vivo mouse model for pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer, we will investigate the potential role of autophagy in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor growth and metastasis. Previously, by using this mouse model, we uncovered that overexpression of Bcl-xL and RHAMMB can stimulate metastasis of primary pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Therefore, in this proposal we are able to examine the effect of autophagy on pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor metastasis driven by the two specific molecules: Bcl-xL and RHAMMB. Success of the proposed research will establish the role of autophagy in growth and metastasis of pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer, and provide insights into the potential therapeutic value of autophagy-targeting in preventing outgrowth and metastasis of tumors.
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0.976 |