How BRCA1 and 53BP1 proteins control DNA repair in cancer
Post-translational Modifications in DNA Damage Response: a Structural Perspective
This work looks at how molecular changes to BRCA1-BARD1 and 53BP1 affect DNA repair in cancers to guide better treatments for patients with DNA-repair–linked tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11258994 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will examine how specific chemical tags on proteins (post-translational modifications) change the way BRCA1-BARD1 and 53BP1 bind damaged DNA and choose different repair pathways. They will use structural biology, biochemistry, and cell-based experiments to see how these proteins compete on damaged chromatin. The team will study purified proteins, nucleosomes, and cellular models that mimic DNA breaks to map the molecular steps that favor homologous recombination versus end joining. Findings are meant to build a mechanistic foundation that could later inform targeted therapies or biomarkers for cancers tied to BRCA1/BARD1 function.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers linked to BRCA1/BARD1 (for example hereditary breast or ovarian cancer) or those with tumors known to rely on DNA repair pathways are the most likely to benefit or be asked to provide samples for this work.
Not a fit: Patients with cancers unrelated to DNA repair defects or those seeking immediate therapeutic benefit are unlikely to gain direct treatment benefit from this basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help scientists design more precise cancer treatments or predict which patients will respond to DNA-repair–targeting drugs.
How similar studies have performed: Prior molecular and structural studies of BRCA1, BARD1, and 53BP1 have improved understanding of DNA repair and helped inform therapies like PARP inhibitors, but detailed mechanistic questions about competition on chromatin remain an active area of research.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- Mayo Clinic Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mer, Georges — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Mer, Georges
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.