How cells use ubiquitin and metabolism to control growth
Ubiquitin and Metabolite Signaling
Researchers are looking at how small protein tags called ubiquitin and metabolic signals control cell division, which could help people with cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11318880 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This lab research uses yeast and human cells to see how cells send on/off messages with ubiquitin, a small protein that tags other proteins. Scientists will test how different ubiquitin tag types are read, how F-box proteins and ubiquitin ligases find their targets, and how phosphorylation changes ubiquitin signaling. A second part focuses on mammalian cells to study how methionine metabolism connects to cell division through PP2A and RNA changes. Findings are basic but could point to new ways to slow cancer growth or guide future therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project is lab-based and does not enroll patients directly, though its findings could lead to future clinical trials for people with cancers linked to cell-cycle and metabolic pathways.
Not a fit: People without cancer or whose tumors do not depend on ubiquitin/metabolic pathways are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new molecular targets that lead to cancer treatments that better control tumor growth.
How similar studies have performed: Previous basic studies in yeast and cell lines have revealed important roles for ubiquitin, but translating these findings into clinical treatments remains early and experimental.
Where this research is happening
Irvine, United States
- University of California-Irvine — Irvine, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kaiser, Peter — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Kaiser, Peter
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.