Objective "Each cell within an organism contains the same genetic information, however, only a specific subset of genes is transcribed in a given cell at a given time. This cell/stage specific transcription is controlled by the coordinated action of signaling pathways, chromatin associated proteins and transcription factors. Defects in chromatin organization and gene expression due to aberrant activity of chromatin modifying enzymes can contribute to diseases such as cancer. Since its discovery, the histone demethylase LSD1 has emerged as a key chromatin regulator. Several studies have implicated LSD1 in tumorigenesis and there is a growing interest in its use as a drug target. However, we still have a limited knowledge of LSD1 pathway-specific functions and a genome-wide study of its role in a whole organism is lacking.My strategy is to use an animal model system, Drosophila melanogaster, to dissect LSD1 function in vivo. My work has shown that mutation of LSD1 Drosophila ortholog, dLsd1 impacts specific developmental processes. Taking advantage of the tools available in Drosophila, I discovered a surprising antagonism between the histone H3K4 demethylases dLsd1 and Lid at chromatin boundaries and an involvement of dLsd1 in the Notch signaling, which we found to be conserved in mammals. To identify novel pathways involving dLsd1 in vivo, my lab is carrying out a genome-wide RNAi screen in Drosophila. We plan to study how dLsd1 and key candidates discovered in the screen control gene transcription and chromatin homeostasis in specific developmental contexts. We then plan to take a few new key interactions and to test whether this newly acquired information is conserved in mammals and can be exploited to target tumor cells. The goal is to provide insights into the LSD1 network of interactions, which will be instrumental for understanding the mechanisms that control chromatin structure and gene transcription and how their deregulations leads to diseases such as cancer." Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsmutationmedical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologynatural sciencesbiological scienceszoologymammalogymedical and health sciencesbasic medicinephysiologyhomeostasisnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsenzymes Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2013-CIG - Marie-Curie Action: "Career Integration Grants" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2013-CIG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-CIG - Support for training and career development of researcher (CIG) Coordinator UNIVERSITE PAUL SABATIER TOULOUSE III EU contribution € 100 000,00 Address ROUTE DE NARBONNE 118 31062 Toulouse Cedex 9 France See on map Region Occitanie Midi-Pyrénées Haute-Garonne Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Carole Matthia (Mrs.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data