How two molecular tags (PAR and ubiquitin) control mitochondria
Coordination of PAR and Ub signaling in mitochondria
This project looks at how two molecular tags, PAR and ubiquitin, help mitochondria respond to stress and how that knowledge could point to new options for people with breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11324546 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers at Boston University will study how PAR and ubiquitin signaling work together inside mitochondria and how the protein GPS2 helps control those signals. They will use lab models, molecular techniques, and disease-relevant samples to see how these tags change gene activity and mitochondrial behavior during stress and cell differentiation. The team will link these molecular findings to breast cancer biology and metabolic disorders to identify processes that might be targeted in the future. Work is focused on basic mechanisms that could guide later translational or clinical efforts.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with breast cancer—particularly those willing to provide tumor or blood samples or whose tumors show metabolic or mitochondrial changes—would be the most relevant participants.
Not a fit: People without breast cancer or whose tumors are driven by unrelated mechanisms are unlikely to benefit directly from this research in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new molecular targets or biomarkers that lead to better treatments or tests for some people with breast cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work from this team and others has shown GPS2 and ubiquitination shape mitochondrial stress responses, but translating those findings into patient treatments is still early.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston University Medical Campus — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Perissi, Valentina — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Perissi, Valentina
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.