Chemical tools to understand enzymes that control cell growth
Chemical Approaches to Cell Signaling Enzymes
This project builds chemical tools to learn how cancer-related enzymes PTEN and Akt are controlled, aiming to help people with tumors driven by the PI3K/Akt pathway.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11139627 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, researchers are creating special chemical versions of proteins to mimic how cells add and remove tags like ubiquitin and phosphate. They focus on PTEN and Akt, two enzymes that control cell growth and are often altered in cancer. The team uses protein semisynthesis and engineered enzyme complexes to see how ubiquitination and mTORC2-driven phosphorylation change enzyme behavior. The work is laboratory-based using purified proteins and cell models to reveal mechanisms that could point to new treatment targets.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with cancers involving PI3K/Akt pathway changes—such as tumors with PTEN loss or activated Akt—would be most likely to benefit from insights generated here.
Not a fit: People whose conditions are unrelated to PI3K/Akt signaling or who need immediate clinical treatments are unlikely to gain direct benefit, since this is basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new ways to target PTEN or Akt regulation and lead to therapies for cancers driven by PI3K/Akt signaling.
How similar studies have performed: Prior biochemical and chemical biology studies have clarified enzyme regulation, but turning those findings into patient treatments is still an emerging effort.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cole, Philip a — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Cole, Philip a
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.