MYC: a regulator of exosome protein cargo?

• Grant number: 16/50356-4
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: March 01, 2017
• End date: February 28, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Chemistry of Macromolecules
• Agreement: Brunel University London
• Mobility Program: SPRINT - Projetos de pesquisa - Mobilidade
• Principal Investigator: Giuseppe Palmisano
• Grantee: Giuseppe Palmisano
• Principal researcher abroad: Arturo Sala
• Institution abroad: Brunel University, England
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 14/06863-3 - Post-translational modifications in cancer and parasite infection diagnosis: methodological approaches and biological implications, AP.JP

Abstract

In this study we will focus our interest on small particles secreted by normal and tumour cells called exosomes. Cancer-produced exosomes condition and prepare organs to metastatic dissemination. In other words, exosomes are akin to messengers of - death sent by tumour cells to facilitate cancer growth and survival. It would be very important to identify further proteins in tumour exosomes that could be used as biomarkers for different types of cancer. In a preliminary study, we have identified 152 proteins specifically modulated by MYC in neuroblastoma cells. We would like to further this study by assessing whether these proteins can confer new biological features to cells taking up the cancer secreted exosomes. This would validate our hypothesis that MYC could influence cell behaviour by shedding vesicles loaded with proteins that facilitate cell growth and metastatic dissemination. Understanding how MYC functions will improve our understanding of basic physiological processes such as cell proliferation and survival. MYC-regulated exosomal proteins, if definitively identified, could serve both as biomarkers and new targets for cancer. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

CIREGIA, FEDERICA; URBANI, ANDREA; PALMISANO, GIUSEPPE. Extracellular Vesicles in Brain Tumors and Neurodegenerative Diseases. FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE, v. 10, AUG 31 2017. (16/50356-4, 14/06863-3)