| Grant number: | 11/18718-0 |
| Support type: | Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct) |
| Effective date (Start): | December 01, 2011 |
| Effective date (End): | November 30, 2015 |
| Field of knowledge: | Biological Sciences - Biochemistry |
| Principal researcher: | Vilma Regina Martins |
| Grantee: | Tonielli Cristina Sousa de Lacerda |
| Home Institution: | A C Camargo Cancer Center. Fundação Antonio Prudente (FAP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil |
| Associated research grant: | 09/14027-2 - Mechanisms associated with the function of prion protein and its ligand STI1/Hop: therapeutic approaches, AP.TEM |
Abstract Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the world, with a high rate of mortality and morbidity. The understanding of the mechanisms underlying this disease is of considerable impact. The cellular prion protein (PrPC), well-known for its functions in the nervous system, is among the molecules with a potential role in these tumors. The activity of PrPC depends on its interaction with other proteins including the stress inducible Protein1 (STI1), or its human homologue named Hsp90/Hsp70 organizing protein (HOP). Both PrPC and STI1/HOP are linked to cell proliferation and metastasis in tumors. The signaling pathways triggered by PrPC-STI1/Hop complex depend on the STI1/HOP secretion into the extracellular space, however the mechanisms used for STI1/Hop secretion are unknown. The present proposal aims to investigate the mechanisms associated to the secretion of HOP and to understand the participation of the PrPC-HOP complex in the tumorigenic processes using in vitro and in vivo models. In addition, the significance of HOP as a biomarker in serum of patients with colorectal tumors will also be addressed. The proposed experiments should provide a new insight into the use of PrPC-Hop complex as a therapeutic target in colon cancer. (AU) | |