How a chemical tag controls ERK cancer signals
Regulation of the ERK signaling pathway by K63-linked polyubiquitination
This project looks at whether adding a specific ubiquitin tag to ERK proteins changes how cancer cells grow and resist treatment, which could be relevant for people with tumors driven by overactive ERK signaling.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11142471 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, the team is studying ERK1 and ERK2 proteins inside cancer cells to see how they get a K63-linked ubiquitin tag and what that tag does. Researchers will use biochemical experiments and cell lines, map the enzymes that add or remove the tag, and test effects on cell growth and drug response in laboratory models. The work aims to show whether changing this tag can alter tumor behavior and point to new ways to block ERK-driven cancers.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers driven by an overactive ERK/MAPK pathway—for example tumors with BRAF or other upstream mutations—would be the most likely candidates to benefit from therapies that come from this research.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors are not driven by ERK/MAPK signaling or those with non-cancer conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that block ERK activation across many tumor types and help overcome drug resistance.
How similar studies have performed: Drugs targeting the ERK/MAPK pathway have had clinical success in some cancers, but studying K63-linked ubiquitination of ERK is a newer approach with limited prior clinical testing.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yang, Xiaolu — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Yang, Xiaolu
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.