Objectif Fanconi anemia (FA) is a genetic disease characterized by bone marrow failure, malformations and cancer predisposition. Currently, there is no cure for FA and life expectancy is 29 years. In addition, FA cells are hypersensitive to DNA coss-linking agents used in chemotherapy making cancer treatment difficult. The genetic cause of FA is heterogeneous, involving at least 19 different FA genes (FANCA, B, C, D1/BRCA2, D2, E, F, G, I, J, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S/BRCA1 and T) all interacting in a common DNA repair pathway (the FA/BRCA pathway). FANCD2 ubiquitination and localization at sites of DNA damage is a key step in the activation of the FA pathway and it is used to assess its functionality. Importantly, mutations in FANCA are the most prevalent, accounting for 60-85% of FA cases. FANCA missense mutants mislocalize FANCA to the cytoplasm instead of the nucleus, thereby inactivating the FA pathway. However, FANCA mutants may retain its functionality, suggesting that correction of the subcellular mislocalization of FANCA missense mutants may be an effective way to reactivate the FA/BRCA pathway in these patients. In this application, we propose to conduct a study to develop a system to promote nuclear localization of FANCA missense mutants and evaluate its impact on the activation of the FA/BRCA pathway. This study will yield valuable information about the molecular mechanisms that determine FANCA subcellular localization and pathogenicity of the mutations. In a second part of the project, we will use an unbiased high-throughput approach to screen for drugs that can reactivate the FA/BRCA pathway in cells containing FANCA missense mutations, independently of their mechanism of action. In summary, using a combination of targeted and unbiased approaches, we aim at finding the first drug with the potential to cure FA in a large subset of patients. Personalized medicine-based therapies may be the only option to cure FA and other highly heterogeneous genetic diseases. Champ scientifique natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsDNAnatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsmutationmedical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologymedical and health sciencesclinical medicinehematology Mots‑clés Fanconi anemia drug discovery missense mutations rare disease Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Thème(s) MSCA-IF-2015-EF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF) Appel à propositions H2020-MSCA-IF-2015 Voir d’autres projets de cet appel Régime de financement MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF) Coordinateur UNIVERSITAT AUTONOMA DE BARCELONA Contribution nette de l'UE € 170 121,60 Adresse EDIF A CAMPUS DE LA UAB BELLATERRA CERDANYOLA V 08193 Cerdanyola Del Valles Espagne Voir sur la carte Région Este Cataluña Barcelona Type d’activité Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Liens Contacter l’organisation Opens in new window Site web Opens in new window Participation aux programmes de R&I de l'UE Opens in new window Réseau de collaboration HORIZON Opens in new window Coût total € 170 121,60
