A newly discovered gene-control mark in breast cancer
A New Histone H3 Modification Regulates Epigenetic Programming and Gene Expression in Breast Cancer
Researchers are looking at a newly found chemical change on a protein that helps control genes in breast cancer cells to see how it influences tumor behavior.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11224075 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research examines a newly discovered chemical tag (hydroxylation) on histone H3 at proline 16 that is made by the enzyme EglN2. Scientists will map how this change affects gene activity across the genome in breast cancer cells and how it attracts the protein KDM5A to remove other gene-activating marks. They will also study how this modification alters Wnt/beta-catenin signaling, which can influence tumor growth, using molecular and cell biology experiments. The work is lab-based, using breast cancer cell lines and biochemical techniques to define molecular steps that could be targeted in the future.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project does not enroll patients directly; it uses breast cancer cell lines and laboratory samples rather than recruiting people.
Not a fit: Patients should not expect direct clinical benefit from this lab study because it does not change current treatments or offer experimental therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could reveal a new molecular switch in breast tumors that points to future drug targets or diagnostic markers.
How similar studies have performed: Related work has shown that histone modifications can control gene expression, but prolyl hydroxylation on H3 is newly reported and remains largely untested in breast cancer.
Where this research is happening
Dallas, United States
- Ut Southwestern Medical Center — Dallas, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Qing — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Qing
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.