| title: | PTCH-GLI pathways: involvement in human cancer and novel therapeutic strategies |
|---|---|
| reg no: | ETF5552 |
| project type: | Estonian Science Foundation research grant |
| subject: |
2.7. Biotechnology, Food and Drink Technology 3. Medical Sciences |
| status: | accepted |
| institution: | Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics |
| head of project: | Priit Kogerman |
| duration: | 01.01.2003 - 31.12.2006 |
| description: | Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the developed world causing enormous human suffering and significant economic losses. The most prevalent form of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma, is commonly caused by mutations in PTCH1 (human homolog 1 of Drosophila patched receptor) that leads to the loss of function in this signalling pathway [1]. PTCH1 is a multi-transmembrane receptor for the Hedgehog (Hh) family of secreted factors that functions by inhibiting a 7-trans-membrane receptor SMOH. This signaling pathway has been conserved in evolution and has a central role in the control of pattern formation and cellular proliferation during development. The main transcriptional activator for the pathway is the proto-oncogene product GLI-1, a transcription factor that is controlling epithelial stem-cell divisions in different organisms The general objective of the current project is to study the role of PTCH-GLI pathways in human cancer with particular focus on breast cancer and to develop of a new generation of anti-cancer drugs based on increased understanding of the PTCH-GLI pathway. The project has the following specific aims: 1) Study the functional importance of PTCH-GLI pathway in the development of breast cancer. 2) Investigate the functional domains of PTCH involved in inhibition of SMOH. 3) Design new drug prototypes interfering with the functions of PTCH-GLI pathway |
| project group | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| no | name | institution | position | |
| 1. | Lembi Kogerman | NICPB | scientist | |
| 2. | Priit Kogerman | Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics | Head of laboratory | |
| 3. | Piret Michelson | NICPB/TTU | Ph. D. student | |
| 4. | Olga Njunkova | NICPB/TTU | Ph. D. student | |
| 5. | Taavi Päll | NICPB/TTU | Ph. D. student | |
| 6. | Kristiina Tamboom | NICPB/TTU | Ph. D. student | |
| 7. | Robert Tsanev | NICPB/TTU | Ph. D. student | |
| 8. | Andres Valkna | NICPB | Senior scientist | |