How specific adaptor proteins help human skin tumors grow
Regulation of Human Tumorigensis by Cancer Specific NXF1 Adaptor Proteins
This project looks at whether certain adaptor proteins that move cancer-related RNA out of the nucleus are driving skin tumor growth and could point to new treatment targets for people with skin cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11285188 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use a RAS-driven human epidermal tumor model to study four adaptor proteins that bind the nuclear export factor NXF1 and promote export of oncogenic mRNAs. They will identify which cancer-related transcripts each adaptor binds during tumor initiation and test what happens when each adaptor is reduced. Experiments include molecular lab techniques, transcript analysis, and knockdown studies to track effects on tumor initiation and progression. The goal is to reveal mechanisms that could be targeted to slow or stop tumor growth.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with RAS-driven epidermal or other skin cancers would be the most relevant group for eventual translation of these findings.
Not a fit: Patients with unrelated non-skin cancers or those seeking immediate clinical treatment 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 to block tumor-promoting RNA export and eventually lead to therapies that slow or prevent skin cancer growth.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary lab data show that some of these adaptor proteins are upregulated during tumor initiation and that knocking them down can inhibit tumorigenesis in models, but translating this into human treatments remains untested.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sen, George L — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Sen, George 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.