Objective
Members of the scatter factor receptor family (Met and Ron) are key regulators in tumour invasion and metastasis. It has been shown that receptor over-expression, as well as specific mutations can lead to the constitutive activation of these oncogenes, which correlates with cancer progression. Two novel protein families phylo-genetically related to scatter factor receptors have been identified, plexins and semaphorin. Semaphorins control cell migration by binding to plexins, which compose one group of semaphor in receptors and are implicated in the regulation of cancer progression. Semaphorins can also bind to the tyrosine kinase receptor Met and neuropilin.
Intriguingly, neuropilins also function as co-receptors for Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors (VEGFs), which are important regulators of angiogenesis. This project is aimed to understand the functional role and mechanisms whereby semaphorin signalling can regulate cancer progression. The function of several semaphorins and semaphorin receptors will be investigated in vivo, by means of lentiviral-mediated gene transfer, in a model of cancer progression from local invasiveness to metastasis. We will screen a number of semaphorins, plexins and neuropilins expressed in various cancers that are either metastatic to the lungs, or have no tendency to metastasise.
The transfected cell lines will be used to establish tumour xenografts.). Further mechanistic control of specific semaphorins/plexins will be studied by testing the tumourigenic and metastatic potential of cancer cell lines engineered for their regulated expression, or translational knock-down (RNAi), or by expressing their wildtype and mutated receptors. We expect that this functional screening will provide a broad view of the oncogenic or onco-suppressor potential of different semaphorin genes, and will establish a proof of concept for studying further the encoded molecules as markers of tumour progression or potential cancer inhibitors.
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.
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology genetic engineering gene therapy
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics mutation
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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.
FP6-2002-MOBILITY-5
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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
CANDIOLO (TORINO),
Italy
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.