Dissecting PTEN-regulated Pathways In The Genesis Of Melanoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$302,981.00
Summary
Melanoma is a major Australian health problem. It is the third most common cancer in men and women and has a disproportionately heavy impact on productive years of life. The PTEN phosphatase is one of the most common targets for inactivation in melanoma. The precise role of PTEN and its contribution to melanoma development have not been thoroughly explored. This work will highlight potentially novel pathways and molecules that are likely to be critical in the genesis of melanoma and to the ratio ....Melanoma is a major Australian health problem. It is the third most common cancer in men and women and has a disproportionately heavy impact on productive years of life. The PTEN phosphatase is one of the most common targets for inactivation in melanoma. The precise role of PTEN and its contribution to melanoma development have not been thoroughly explored. This work will highlight potentially novel pathways and molecules that are likely to be critical in the genesis of melanoma and to the rational approach to targeted therapy.Read moreRead less
The Regulation Of PI 3-kinase Second Messenger Molecules, PtdIns(3,4)P2 And PtdIns 3-P.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$406,980.00
Summary
Cells respond to the external environment, hormones, and growth factors by generating messages inside the cell that send a signal to the nucleus that stimulates cell growth. One such signalling network is that produced by membrane lipids known as phosphoinositides. Enzymes that produce these signals are known as kinases. There has been considerable interest in the PI 3-kinase as the signals generated by this enzyme are increased in many human cancers. Inherited cancer syndromes have been describ ....Cells respond to the external environment, hormones, and growth factors by generating messages inside the cell that send a signal to the nucleus that stimulates cell growth. One such signalling network is that produced by membrane lipids known as phosphoinositides. Enzymes that produce these signals are known as kinases. There has been considerable interest in the PI 3-kinase as the signals generated by this enzyme are increased in many human cancers. Inherited cancer syndromes have been described that have lost the ability to switch off PI 3-kinase signals. The current project aims to investigate a recently identified enzyme called the 4-phosphatase that has the ability to terminate PI 3-kinase signals. Recent studies have shown this enzyme regulates cell growth. In addition key experiments have shown the enzyme is important as it may regulate certain strains of bacterial infection. This research proposal aims to investigate how the enzyme works to regulate these growth promoting signals. This may help us develop novel therapeutic strategies to control cell growth.Read moreRead less