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Deciphering transcriptional regulation of NF-kB target genes using integrative omics approaches

Project description

Dissecting the mechanism of NF-kB transcriptional activation

Transcription factors that fall into the nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB) family orchestrate the expression of key genes implicated in immune responses, proliferation and apoptosis. At the same time, emerging evidence indicates a role for NF-kB in cancer onset and progression. Therefore, to develop an anti-NF-kB treatment for cancer, one would need to selectively target NF-kB genes associated with malignant transformation. With this in mind, the EU-funded RegulatioNFkB project proposes to investigate the mechanism of NF-kB-mediated transcriptional activation by focusing on the promoter regions of NF-kB responsive genes. Researchers will use genome editing and mass spectrometry to identify transcription factors and other proteins that interact at the promoters of these genes.

Objective

NF-kB is a family of transcription factors that regulate expression of genes that are involved in various cellular processes such as apoptosis, proliferation and differentiation. The NF-kB pathway is implicated in the initiation and progression of cancer and cancer cell drug resistance. Unfortunately, global NF-kB inhibition is harmful to the immune system; therefore, inhibition of a subset of NF-kB target genes that are linked to malignant transformation would be more appropriate. Different NF-kB target genes display distinct transcription activation kinetics, indicating that the molecular mechanisms driving expression of NF-kB target genes are strikingly diverse. Thus, it is highly interesting to study the factors that are involved in transcriptional activation of individual NF-kB responsive genes, both from a fundamental and clinical perspective. Here, we will develop two innovative strategies based on CRISPR/Cas9 based genome targeting combined with mass spectrometry-based technology to isolate single NF-kB target gene promoters upon NF-kB pathway activation and identify their constituents. We will also apply a complementary approach, ATAC-sequencing, to identify transcription factors that are involved in activation of NF-kB responsive genes. Moreover, we will study the underlying mechanisms and characterize the function of proteins that interact with NF-kB responsive promoters. Finally, the described mechanisms discovered in cancer cell lines will be verified and validated in small intestinal organoids, a non-transformed cell model for homeostasis in the intestinal epithelium. This ambitious and multidisciplinary project will greatly benefit from my expert knowledge regarding the NF-kB pathway combined with the expertise of the host laboratory in mass spectrometry and genomics. The project is expected to have a major impact in the research area of gene expression regulation in general and molecular cancer research focusing on the NF-kB pathway in particular.

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MSCA-IF-EF-RI - RI – Reintegration panel

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(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2018

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Coordinator

STICHTING RADBOUD UNIVERSITEIT
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 187 572,48
Address
HOUTLAAN 4
6525 XZ Nijmegen
Netherlands

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Region
Oost-Nederland Gelderland Arnhem/Nijmegen
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

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.

€ 187 572,48
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