Blocking enzymes that change DNA-packaging proteins (histones) in cancer
Mechanism and Inhibition of Histone Modifications
This project looks at enzymes that add chemical tags to proteins around DNA and tests ways to block them to help people with cancer and infection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Georgia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Athens, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11258529 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I had cancer, this team would study how protein methyltransferases add chemical marks to histones and other proteins and use chemical biology tools to find molecules that stop those enzymes. The researchers will work with cells and biochemical methods to map how these modifications change cell behavior and drive disease. Medicinal chemistry will be used to design and test small molecules that inhibit these enzymes' activity. Promising molecules from the lab could later move into animal studies and, eventually, early human testing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would include people with cancers known to have overactive or mutated protein methyltransferases, or patients willing to donate tumor or biospecimens for research.
Not a fit: People with conditions unrelated to protein methylation or those needing immediate, approved therapies are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to new targeted medicines that block harmful methyltransferase activity and expand treatment options for some cancers and infections.
How similar studies have performed: Some related methyltransferase inhibitors have shown promise in lab studies and early human trials, but the field is still largely experimental.
Where this research is happening
Athens, United States
- University of Georgia — Athens, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zheng, Y. George — University of Georgia
- Study coordinator: Zheng, Y. George
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.