Project description
Integrin phosphorylation: a new cancer biomarker?
Integrins are a large family of proteins that attach the cell cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix, serving as an adhesion point as well as a signal transducer. Altered integrin expression is frequently observed in cancer, where integrins seem to support oncogenic growth, migration and invasion. The EU-funded INTEGRIN REGULATION project is interested to delineate the activation of integrin beta 1 in breast cancer. Researchers will initially screen phosphorylated integrin beta 1 molecules and subsequently the enzymes responsible for this activation. Alongside information on the interacting partners of integrin beta 1, results will unveil novel mechanistic insight into breast cancer pathogenesis.
Objective
Integrins are key signalling molecules that mediate the complex relationship between cancer cells and their associated ECM; as such they have been implicated in every step of cancer progression. Their cytoplasmic domains are essential hubs for protein-protein interactions, where phosphorylation of key sites modulates integrin activity and oncogenic signalling. However, the regulators of integrin phosphorylation remain elusive. The proposed work will address the role of integrin beta1 in breast cancer epithelial and stromal cells, where increased expression and/or activity are correlated with poorer survival. To this end, the fellow has developed a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) biosensor for integrin beta1 phosphorylation, which will be applied in a kinome-/phosphatome-wide screen for regulatory kinases and/or phosphatases. This screening will be completmented with global mass spectrometry to identify phosphorylation-sensitive interactions with the integrin beta1 cytoplasmic domain. Out of these screens, the fellow will validate the identified kinases and/or phosphatases using three-dimensional functional assays, as well as standard biochemical approaches, in conjunction with live super-resolution imaging to pinpoint the subcellular localization of the interacting complex. The clinical relevance of the identified kinases and/or phosphatases will then be evaluated with immunohistochemistry staining of large breast cancer cohorts, along with functional validation using patient material from clinical collaborators. These aspects will provide an essential link from the mechanistic insights to improving patient outcomes from this work.
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 biochemistry biomolecules proteins proteomics
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy super resolution microscopy
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology breast cancer
- natural sciences mathematics pure mathematics mathematical analysis functional analysis
- natural sciences chemical sciences analytical chemistry mass spectrometry
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
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.
-
H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme -
H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
See all projects funded under this programme
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.
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.
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2018
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
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.
20014 Turku
Finland
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.