How G-proteins and cell adhesion proteins control cell growth and movement
Structure and Mechanism of G-proteins and cell adhesion proteins in regulation of cell growth and motility
This project looks at how certain cell signaling and adhesion proteins change cell growth and movement, which could matter for people with cancers or heart conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11260169 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers are mapping how G-proteins (including RAS and Gα family members) switch between on and off states and how cell ‘glue’ proteins like vinculin and metavinculin shape cells and control movement. The team combines computer modeling, 3D structural work, biochemical experiments, and cell-based tests to trace key allosteric networks and the effects of pH on protein activation. They will also examine how RAS-related proteins influence lipid kinases and how adhesion protein isoforms coordinate force transmission. The goal is to build a detailed picture of the molecular mechanisms that underlie cell growth and motility related to cancer and heart disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancer or cardiovascular diseases who want to support or learn about molecular research that could lead to future targeted therapies are the most relevant group.
Not a fit: People without cancer or heart disease, or those looking for immediate changes in their clinical care, are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this laboratory-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new molecular targets that enable more precise treatments for some cancers and cardiovascular conditions.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has established roles for RAS signaling and vinculin in disease, but the specific focus on pH-driven regulation and detailed allosteric switching in this project is relatively novel and less tested.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Campbell, Sharon L — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Campbell, Sharon L
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.