Understanding how a specific protein modification affects cancer progression
Official title: Hijacking Post-translational Arginylation for Targeted Protein Degradation
Funded at Washington University · NIH-10946949 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a specific protein change, influenced by an enzyme, affects cancer growth and spread, with the goal of finding new treatments that could help patients by targeting these changes in cancer cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | August 2, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $425,587 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA292191-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10946949 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with cancers that exhibit high levels of ATE1 activity or arginylation-related pathways.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers that do not involve ATE1 or arginylation mechanisms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of a protein modification called arginylation, which is regulated by the enzyme ATE1, in cancer progression and metastasis. The researchers aim to identify the protein substrates affected by ATE1 in various cancer types using a novel method called activity-based arginylation profiling (ABAP). By establishing a library of these substrates, the study seeks to develop targeted therapies that exploit arginylation for more effective cancer treatment. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to new therapeutic strategies targeting cancer cell behavior.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative cancer treatments that specifically target and degrade proteins involved in cancer progression.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of hijacking arginylation for targeted protein degradation is novel, similar strategies targeting protein degradation have shown promise in other cancer research.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lin, Zongtao — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Lin, Zongtao
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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.