Investigating the role of Rho GTPases RhoA and RhoC in signaling pathways associated with acute myeloid leukemia development.

• Grant number: 23/16184-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: March 01, 2024
• End date: July 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Mariana Lazarini
• Grantee: Maria Carolina Clares Ramalho
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/03171-0 - Deciphering the role of Rho subfamily of GTPases in normal hematopoietic cells and in leukemia cells, AP.PNGP.PI

Abstract

The Rho GTPase family of proteins consists of 20 members whose deregulation is frequently found in hematological neoplasms. RhoA, RhoB and RhoC (also known as Rho proteins) form a specific subfamily of highly homologous Rho GTPases whose functions in normal and leukemic hematopoiesis remain to be elucidated. Our hypothesis is that Rho proteins have specific and essential functions in hematopoietic cells. In this project, we will investigate the effects of RhoA or RhoC overexpression on proliferation, apoptosis and cytoskeletal rearrangement in leukemic cell lines and primary cord blood cells. In parallel, we will analyze the global gene expression (RNAseq) of leukemic cell lines silenced for RhoA or RhoC. The results of this study will contribute to the understanding of the functions of Rho proteins in hematopoiesis.