How ubiquitin controls cell growth and repair
Ubiquitin‐mediated proteolysis and cell cycle control
This project maps how a cellular tagging system called ubiquitin and its adaptor proteins control cell growth and DNA repair, with relevance to aging and cancer patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Medical School NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11311334 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team uses genetic screens to find which adaptor proteins bind and mark other proteins for destruction, and uses proteomics to measure those changes across cells. They focus on the neddylation cycle and the CAND exchange factor that regulate adaptor assembly. Much work is done in cultured cells and molecular experiments to identify the short degron sequences that target substrates for ubiquitylation. Results aim to connect these basic mechanisms to processes linked to aging, cell cycle control, and DNA repair.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal contributors would be people with cancers or age-related conditions who are willing to donate tissue or biospecimens for laboratory studies.
Not a fit: Patients with problems unrelated to cell-cycle control, DNA repair, or aging are unlikely to see direct benefits from this specific work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new molecular targets for therapies that affect cell growth, DNA repair, and age-related diseases including cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have successfully characterized a few well-known adaptors and their targets, but comprehensive mapping of the full adaptor network and degron rules remains largely novel.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Harvard Medical School — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Harper, Jeffrey W — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Harper, Jeffrey W
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.