Ret as dependence receptor involved in apoptosis, neurogenesis and tumorigenesis

Objective

ER is a classic receptor kinase, which, upon ligand binding, transduces a kinase dependent signal allowing the migration of RET-expressing cells towards ligand source. However recent findings show that RET expression induces apoptosis in the absence of ligand. The dependence receptor notion is based on similar observations that the effects of a number of receptors functioning in both nervous system development and tumorigenesis cannot be explained imply by a positive effect of signal transduction induced by ligand binding. Receptors such as neurotrophin receptor p75NTR, the androgen receptor (AR), DCC (Deleted in Colorectal Cancer), and now RET show two distinct forms of signal transduction depending on ligand availability. In the presence of their ligands they transduce a signal for either proliferation or differentiation and in their absence for apoptosis. This project aims at studying the biological role of RET in model systems and in humans.

Fields of science

• natural sciences › biological sciences › neurobiology
• medical and health sciences › clinical medicine › oncology › prostate cancer
• medical and health sciences › clinical medicine › oncology › colorectal cancer

Programme(s)

• FP5-LIFE QUALITY - Specific Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Quality of life and management of living resources", 1998-2002

Topic(s)

• 1.1.1.-7. - Chronic and degenerative diseases, cancer, diabetes, cardivascular diseases and rare diseases

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

ISTITUTO GIANNINA GASLINI

Address

Largo Gerolamo Gaslini 5
16148 Genova
Italy

Participants (7)

ALBERT-LUDWIGS-UNIVERSITAET FREIBURG

Germany

Address

Schaenzlestrasse 1
79104 Freiburg

CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE

France

Address

Boulevard Du 11 Novembre 1918, 43
69622 Villeurbanne

INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA SANTE ET DE LA RECHERCHE MEDICALE

France

Address

Rue De Sèvres 149
75743 Paris

ISTITUTO EUROPEO DI ONCOLOGIA SRL

Italy

Address

Via Ripamonti 435
20141 Milano

ITALIAN AGENCY FOR NEW TECHNOLOGY, ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Italy

Address

Via Anguillarese 301
00060 Capena

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PISA

Italy

Address

Via A. Volta 6
56126 Pisa

UNIVERSITE CLAUDE BERNARD LYON 1

France

Address

43,boulevard Du 11 Novembre 1918, 43
69622 Villeurbanne