Objective
"The role of metabolism in cancer has attracted massive attention in recent years. Several studies highlighted the relevance of aberrant metabolic activities in a number of malignancies. A key node of eukaryotic metabolism is the transport of pyruvate between cytoplasm and mitochondria. Pyruvate, the end product of glycolysis, plays an essential role in cellular metabolism as after transport into mitochondria it can be oxidized into acetyl-CoA, and further oxidized in the tricarboxylic acid cycle. The transport of pyruvate into mitochondria is therefore essential for oxidative phosphorylation and may, under some circumstances, represent a rate-limiting step for oxidative phosphorylation. A few months ago, a major step was achieved with the molecular identification of the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier by the group of Dr Martinou, the host laboratory.
In a number of cancers, cytosolic pyruvate is converted to lactate, a phenomenon known as the Warburg effect. The mechanisms underlying the Warburg effect have not been completely elucidated. We hypothesize that the structure and/or function of the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier is altered in a number of cancers, resulting in significant metabolic changes that could, at least in part, explain the Warburg effect.
The aims of this proposal are to characterize the structural and functional properties of the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier and to assess how they may impact on mitochondrial pyruvate import and cell metabolism in cancer cells. Moreover, using a genetic approach in yeast, we will search for genes that allow cancer cells to survive and proliferate normally with decreased activity of the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier.
My work should provide key information on the regulation of this newly discovered mitochondrial pyruvate transporter in cancer metabolism and may lead to the identification of therapeutic targets for cancer."
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences cell biology cell metabolism
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
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Programme(s)
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Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IEF
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Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
1211 Geneve
Switzerland
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.