Determinants Of Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF) Binding And Biological Actions Of IGF Binding Protein-6
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$399,750.00
Summary
Proteins are complex structures usually consisting of a number of distinct regions. Each of these regions may serve different roles. Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are important proteins involved in regulating the growth and other properties of cells. The actions of IGFs are in turn regulated by a family of binding proteins (IGFBPs). The aim of this project is to determine the range of actions of one of these IGFBPs and which parts of this IGFBP are involved in these actions. This may lead t ....Proteins are complex structures usually consisting of a number of distinct regions. Each of these regions may serve different roles. Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are important proteins involved in regulating the growth and other properties of cells. The actions of IGFs are in turn regulated by a family of binding proteins (IGFBPs). The aim of this project is to determine the range of actions of one of these IGFBPs and which parts of this IGFBP are involved in these actions. This may lead to new treatments for diseases in which cell growth is disturbed e.g. cancer and diabetes.Read moreRead less
Interactions Between IGFBP-3 And TGFbeta In The Inhibition Of Breast Cancer Cell Growth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$662,970.00
Summary
A protein first identified by our research group, called insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 or IGFBP-3, has been shown to be a potent inhibitor of the growth of cancer cells. High levels of IGFBP-3 in the bloodstream are associated with a decreased risk of several cancer types, including breast cancer. However, the way in which this protein prevents cancer cells from growing is poorly understood. This project will investigate an entirely novel idea, developed in our laboratory, that th ....A protein first identified by our research group, called insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 or IGFBP-3, has been shown to be a potent inhibitor of the growth of cancer cells. High levels of IGFBP-3 in the bloodstream are associated with a decreased risk of several cancer types, including breast cancer. However, the way in which this protein prevents cancer cells from growing is poorly understood. This project will investigate an entirely novel idea, developed in our laboratory, that the actions of IGFBP-3 are intimately connected with the actions of another known cell growth inhibitor called transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta). We have found that these two proteins initiate the same sequence of events leading to growth inhibition in breast cancer cells, and that a receptor protein required for TGFbeta activity is also needed for IGFBP-3 to be inhibitory. Our work has the potential to explain for the first time exactly how IGFBP-3 stops cancer cells from growing. This is important because it is an abundant protein in the body, and understanding how it acts may lead to the development of new approaches to cancer therapy that exploit our findings.Read moreRead less