Understanding how CK1 enzymes choose their targets in DNA repair
Official title: Regulation of CK1 substrate specificity during DNA repair
Funded at Western Washington University · NIH-11360619 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Scientists are studying a human-related cancer pathway to learn how a family of enzymes (CK1) decides which proteins to modify during DNA repair, with the goal of guiding new cancer therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Western Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bellingham, United States) |
| Project start | May 22, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $481,808 |
| NIH project number | 1R15GM164980-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11360619 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to this basic science grant; human participants are not described in the abstract.
✕Less likely to help
No direct patient participation is described in the abstract.
What this research studies
CK1 enzymes play a central role in cell signaling and DNA repair, and their misregulation is linked to cancer. This project will explore how autophosphorylation of CK1 changes which substrates the enzyme prefers, potentially directing repair pathways under different cellular conditions. Researchers will study CK1 behavior in the yeast model Schizosaccharomyces pombe to understand the basic biology, while linking findings to implications for human disease. The plan includes in vivo assessment of CK1 autophosphorylation during DNA damage and in vitro analysis of how different phosphorylated states affect activity on a DNA repair substrate. Overall, the work aims to reveal biochemical rules governing CK1 specificity that could inform targeted therapies for cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Improved understanding of CK1 regulation could lead to more precise cancer therapies that target DNA repair pathways.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research indicates CK1 regulation affects signaling, but detailed substrate-choice mechanisms in DNA repair are still being elucidated.
Where this research is happening
-
Western Washington University
Bellingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cullati, Sierra N. — Western Washington University
- Study coordinator: Cullati, Sierra N.
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.