Developing Novel Molecules to Down-Regulate Src Family Tyrosine Kinases

Funded Activity Summary

Leukaemia and cancer cells have altered biochemical properties resulting in their high rate of growth compared to normal cells. One of the common biochemical characteristics of cancer-leukaemia cells is augmented activity levels of enzymes called tyrosine kinases. A major group of tyrosine kinase involved in several cancer-leukaemia types is called the Src family of tyrosine kinases. One member of this family called Lyn has been our focus of study for several years, investigating the signalling pathways that it is involved in. This molecule has also been implicated in several specific leukaemia (Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia and Acute Myeloid Leukaemia) as well as cancer (Prostate, Colon, Breast) in recent years. We have identified a novel mechanism of down-regulation of this enzyme mediated by an adapter molecule called Cbp, which recruits the Lyn inactivating molecules Csk-Ctk as well as SOCS-1; together they inhibit the activity of Lyn and degrade the enzyme. Using our knowledge of the essential interaction elements of Cbp we will design and test various mini-Cbp molecules for their ability to inactivate and degrade Lyn in leukemic and cancer cells. These molecules may allow us to develop novel therapeutics capable of inactivating-degrading specific tyrosine kinases in cancer and leukaemia.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2006

End Date: 01-01-2008

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $201,261.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

Acute Myeloid Leukamia | Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia | Degradation | Phosphorylation | Prostate cancer | Protein-protein interaction | Tyrosine kinases | Ubiquitination

Related Links