Regulation of exon junction complex in cancer biology
Official title: Regulation of exon junction complex composition and assembly
Funded at University of Kentucky · NIH-11593171 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how a key molecular complex that controls RNA processing acts in cancer, with the aim of understanding how it contributes to cancer cell behavior.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 4R00GM152790-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11593171 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with cancers where EJC components are overexpressed or dysregulated may benefit from future targeted therapies or diagnostic advances.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without cancers involving EJC dysregulation may not directly benefit from this study.
What this research studies
The research focuses on the exon junction complex (EJC), a group of proteins that regulate how RNA messages are processed and used in cells, especially in cancers. It will explore how EJC composition and assembly affect alternative RNA splicing, mRNA export, localization, translation initiation, and decay. By studying these processes in human cells and relevant models, researchers hope to uncover how EJC dysregulation may drive cancer progression and identify potential points for therapeutic intervention. The project combines molecular biology and cancer biology approaches to connect basic RNA biology with cancer outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A better understanding of EJC-related cancer mechanisms could reveal new targets for cancer therapies and biomarkers.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows EJC components are linked to cancer biology, supporting potential translational relevance, though specific clinical applications are still developing.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kentucky
Lexington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Abshire, Elizabeth Tenley — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Abshire, Elizabeth Tenley
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.