Understanding a collagen enzyme that helps cancer spread
Mechanistic and structural insights into a new pro-metastatic collagen glucosyltransferase
Researchers are working to understand a collagen-modifying enzyme that helps tumors spread in lung, breast, and sarcoma patients so better treatments can be developed.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11254893 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project focuses on a specific form of the enzyme LH2 (called LH2b) that adds sugar groups to collagen and appears to promote cancer spread. Scientists will compare the long LH2b isoform with the short LH2a isoform and use biochemical tests, structural biology, and cell and animal models to see how the extra piece in LH2b enables this activity. They plan to determine the enzyme’s three-dimensional structure and identify the parts responsible for its glucosyltransferase function. The team aims to use those molecular details to guide creation of drugs that could block the enzyme and reduce metastasis.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with lung cancer, breast cancer, or sarcoma—especially those whose tumors show high LH2/LH2b levels—would be the most likely candidates for related future trials or sample donation.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancers do not depend on collagen remodeling or those with non-cancer conditions are unlikely to see direct benefit from this work in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new drugs that block the enzyme and help prevent or slow cancer metastasis, improving outcomes for patients with metastatic tumors.
How similar studies have performed: Targeting collagen-modifying enzymes is an emerging approach with promising lab and animal results, but specific inhibitors for LH2’s glucosyltransferase activity are not yet available.
Where this research is happening
Lexington, United States
- University of Kentucky — Lexington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Guo, Houfu — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Guo, Houfu
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.