How mitochondrial activity and cancer spread are affected by tRNA changes in kidney cancer
Official title: Regulation of mitochondrial activity and metastasis by dihydrouridine-modified tRNAs in renal cell carcinoma
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-11382273 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how specific tRNA modifications influence mitochondrial function and the spread of kidney cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $867,724 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CA305105-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11382273 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma or related kidney cancers, especially those whose tumors show high DUS enzyme activity or altered mitochondrial genes, may benefit from future therapies arising from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose cancer does not rely on the studied tRNA modification pathway may not benefit directly from this work.
What this research studies
Researchers will study a newly described mechanism where changes in tRNA modify how some cancer-related messages are read, affecting mitochondrial energy and the ability of kidney cancer to metastasize. They will focus on dihydrouridine modifications in tRNA and how they alter the recruitment of cellular decay machinery to ribosomes translating certain arginine-rich mRNAs. The study links these molecular changes to mitochondrial activity and the aggressive behavior of clear cell renal cell carcinoma. By understanding this pathway, scientists hope to identify new points to intervene and potentially slow cancer progression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets to limit kidney cancer metastasis by modulating tRNA modifications and mitochondrial activity.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies have linked tRNA modifications and mitochondrial activity to cancer behavior, though this exact mechanism is being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mendell, Joshua T — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Mendell, Joshua T
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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.