Objective Extensive study of the p53 protein has resulted in a detailed understanding of its role in tumour suppression, information that is being used to develop small molecule modulators of p53 that are presently under evaluation for cancer therapy. However, it has recently become clear that p53 also plays roles in aspects of human health and disease extending beyond cancer - although most of these are poorly understood. We therefore propose to investigate some of these non-cancer functions of p53, with an emphasis on the role of p53 in the regulation of metabolism, extending to an analysis of whether p53 contributes to pathologies such as diabetes and obesity. This is a pioneering project that brings p53 research into new areas, yet builds on the solid platform of existing knowledge about the regulation and function of p53. State of the art genomic, proteomic, metabolomic and imaging analyses will be used to identify the roles of p53 in the response to metabolic stress caused by nutrient deficiency or excess, and investigate how these activities balance cell survival and cell death. Models will be developed to address how these functions of p53 relate to the control of metabolism and disease in vivo. Understanding how the cellular response to metabolic stress is controlled, and identifying a role for p53 in the regulation of metabolic homeostasis has enormous potential to influence the diagnosis and treatment of disease. The proposal will help to define the role of p53 in the development of diabetes and obesity, and lay the groundwork for the investigation of a role for p53 in other pathologies, such as neurodegenerative disease, cardiovascular disease and liver disease. These studies will therefore have far-reaching impact on some of the most prominent health threats in the developed world. Fields of science medical and health sciencesclinical medicineendocrinologydiabetesmedical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepathologymedical and health sciencesclinical medicinehepatologymedical and health scienceshealth sciencesnutritionobesity Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-AG-LS1 - ERC Advanced Grant - Molecular and Structural Biology and Biochemistry Call for proposal ERC-2012-ADG_20120314 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-AG - ERC Advanced Grant Host institution BEATSON INSTITUTE FOR CANCER RESEARCH LBG EU contribution € 2 437 814,00 Address SWITCHBACK ROAD GARSCUBE ESTATE G61 1BD Bearsden United Kingdom See on map Region Scotland West Central Scotland East Dunbartonshire Activity type Research Organisations Principal investigator Karen Vousden (Prof.) Administrative Contact Peter Winckles (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all BEATSON INSTITUTE FOR CANCER RESEARCH LBG United Kingdom EU contribution € 2 437 814,00 Address SWITCHBACK ROAD GARSCUBE ESTATE G61 1BD Bearsden See on map Region Scotland West Central Scotland East Dunbartonshire Activity type Research Organisations Principal investigator Karen Vousden (Prof.) Administrative Contact Peter Winckles (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
