Shedding light on histidine phosphorylation, a hidden cellular switch
Out of the shadows: Illuminating mammalian histidine phosphorylation
Researchers are building new lab tests and early drug-like molecules to detect and control a little-known protein switch called histidine phosphorylation that may matter in cancer and heart disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11257306 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project will create chemical tests that light up when histidine phosphorylation happens in cells and develop the first inhibitors that can block the enzymes that add or remove this modification. Scientists will study which protein sequences and shapes favor histidine phosphorylation and how that change alters protein activity and metal binding. The new tools will be used in cells and biochemical experiments to find which histidine kinases and phosphatases matter for cell signaling. The goal is to point to enzymes and lead compounds that could become targets for future cancer or cardiovascular therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers or cardiovascular disease who are interested in contributing tissue or biospecimens or who might join future trials targeting histidine phosphorylation would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to histidine phosphorylation or those seeking immediate clinical treatment should not expect direct benefit from this basic science project in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could uncover new drug targets and lead compounds that enable therapies for cancers and cardiovascular diseases linked to histidine phosphorylation.
How similar studies have performed: This area is largely novel and understudied, with few existing chemical tools or inhibitors for histidine phosphorylation, so the approach is new rather than established.
Where this research is happening
Salt Lake City, United States
- Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah — Salt Lake City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Barrios, Amy M — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Barrios, Amy M
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.