How the EndoU protein works

Function and mechanism of EndoU

NIH-funded research University of California Riverside · NIH-11192915

This project looks at how the EndoU protein controls cell survival and death, which may matter for people with certain cancers and immune-cell problems.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California Riverside NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Riverside, United States)
Project IDNIH-11192915 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Researchers will study EndoU, a protein that cuts RNA, to see how its activity is turned on by calcium inside cells. They will map which RNAs EndoU targets and use biochemical and cell-based experiments to understand its shape changes and cutting mechanism. The team will focus on cell types where EndoU is important, like thymocytes and B cells, and link those findings to patterns seen in several squamous and other cancers. The work uses molecular assays, cell culture, and RNA-target mapping to build a detailed picture of EndoU's role in controlling cell survival and differentiation.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People with cancers linked to EndoU changes (for example head and neck, colorectal, cervical, esophageal, oral, lung, uterine, or skin squamous cell cancers) or disorders involving B cells or thymocyte development would be most relevant.

Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to EndoU biology or those seeking immediate clinical treatments are unlikely to benefit directly from this basic laboratory research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new biomarkers or targets for cancers and immune disorders where EndoU is misregulated.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked EndoU levels to cancer outcomes and shown it is active in certain cell types, but the calcium-dependent mechanism and its direct RNA targets remain largely untested.

Where this research is happening

Riverside, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.