How the cancer-linked protein E2F controls cell growth
Project 3: Defining and targeting mechanisms of E2F transcription factor regulation
This project studies how the protein E2F helps cancer cells grow to point toward new ways to slow or stop cancers driven by E2F.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11294271 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my point of view as a patient, the team is using lab and structural experiments to see how E2F binds DNA and changes chromatin to turn genes on during cell division. They will run biochemical and cell-based tests to find chemical tags on E2F, like phosphorylation and acetylation, that change how it works. The researchers will also map how E2F is marked for destruction by the adaptor protein Cyclin F to learn how the protein is removed. Together these lab approaches aim to reveal specific steps in E2F regulation that could be targeted by future treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers driven by RB pathway loss or high E2F activity would be the most likely to benefit from findings and any future trials.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors are not driven by E2F-related mechanisms or who need immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to benefit directly from this basic lab research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new drug targets to block E2F activity and slow tumor growth in cancers driven by this pathway.
How similar studies have performed: Prior lab studies have mapped parts of E2F biology but directly targeting E2F has been difficult, so this structural and regulatory focus represents a newer approach with promise but uncertain near-term clinical success.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rubin, Seth Michael — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Rubin, Seth Michael
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.