How the circular RNA circSATB2 may drive cancers caused by arsenic exposure
Official title: circSATB2, a novel regulator of arsenic-induced carcinogenesis
Funded at Van Andel Research Institute · NIH-11226584 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are looking at whether a circular RNA called circSATB2 and the small peptide it makes change gene control and contribute to cancers in people exposed to inorganic arsenic.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Van Andel Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Grand Rapids, United States) |
| Project start | January 7, 2024 |
| Project end | October 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $632,177 |
| NIH project number | 5R01ES036051-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11226584 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with long-term inorganic arsenic exposure or patients with cancers suspected to be related to arsenic would be the most likely candidates to follow this research or take part in related future studies.
✕Less likely to help
People whose cancers are unrelated to arsenic exposure or who have no history of arsenic contact are less likely to receive direct benefit from this work.
What this research studies
This project follows up on earlier findings that arsenic exposure reshapes 3D chromatin structure and raises levels of SATB2 and a circular RNA called circSATB2. Scientists will map chromatin architecture and open chromatin regions using assays such as ATAC-seq, detect circSATB2 and the peptide it encodes, and study how these molecules change protein interactions and gene activity. They will use cell models and animal models to test whether circSATB2 peptide alters the SATB2 interactome and promotes cancer-like behaviors. The work aims to link molecular changes caused by arsenic to steps in cancer development that could point to biomarkers or treatment targets.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new markers or molecular targets to help prevent, detect, or treat cancers linked to arsenic exposure.
How similar studies have gone: Previous laboratory work by the team found circSATB2 and evidence it can affect SATB2 and gene expression, but applying this to a clear cancer-driving mechanism and therapies is novel and not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
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Van Andel Research Institute
Grand Rapids, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fondufe-Mittendorf, Yvonne Nsokika — Van Andel Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Fondufe-Mittendorf, Yvonne Nsokika
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.