How cells use ubiquitin to handle stress and move proteins
Deciphering the ubiquitin code in stress signaling and membrane trafficking
Researchers will learn how the small protein ubiquitin is modified to help cells cope with stress and direct protein movement, with implications for cancers and other diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11250990 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks at how cells tag proteins with ubiquitin and how adding a phosphate at a specific spot (Ser57) changes stress responses and membrane trafficking. Scientists will study the enzymes that add this modification, comparing findings in yeast and human cells. Methods include genetics, biochemistry, and proteomics to map the modified proteins and pathways involved. The goal is to reveal conserved mechanisms that, in time, could point to new ways to treat diseases linked to ubiquitin malfunction.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project does not enroll patients directly, but people with cancers or related protein-handling disorders might be eligible for future studies that build on these findings.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatments or clinical trial enrollment will not receive direct benefit from this laboratory-focused research right now.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify new molecular targets to correct faulty protein handling in cancers and neurodegenerative diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory studies on ubiquitin pathways have revealed important disease mechanisms and possible targets, but phosphorylation at Ser57 is a newer area with limited direct translation so far.
Where this research is happening
Nashville, UNITED STATES
- Vanderbilt University — Nashville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Macgurn, Jason a — Vanderbilt University
- Study coordinator: Macgurn, Jason 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.