Cel Growth regulation is of fundamental importance to the development and homeostasis of all multicellular organisms and involves a balance between cell size, proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation. This process is sensitive to environmental cues such as nutrition and relies on communication between different tissues, mediated by circulating hormones and growth factors. Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) promote growth in a number of tissues and their overexpression can contribute to tumorigenesis. Howeve r, the functions of circulating IGFs in growth and disease are not well understood. Growth regulation by the insulin/IGF pathway is conserved between insects and mammals. Recently, a family of eight IGF-like genes was identified in Drosophila using a conta ct-based sequence alignment algorithm involving structural information. Preliminary experiments in the host lab have confirmed that at least one of these genes is expressed in an endocrine organ known to regulate growth and lipid metabolism. We propose to characterize the role of the new IGF-like genes in regulating organ and organismal size, with a focus on proliferation/differentiation of neuronal progenitors. Because of evolutionary conservation of these proteins, our study is likely to be relevant to th e growth of mammalian embryos and may provide insights into the aetiology of IGF-dependent cancers. Dziedzina nauki natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsmedical and health scienceshealth sciencesnutritionmedical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologymedical and health sciencesclinical medicineembryologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicinephysiologyhomeostasis Słowa kluczowe Drosophila IGF endocrine growth insulin neural progenitor neural stem cell proliferation Program(-y) FP6-MOBILITY - Human resources and Mobility in the specific programme for research, technological development and demonstration "Structuring the European Research Area" under the Sixth Framework Programme 2002-2006 Temat(-y) MOBILITY-2.1 - Marie Curie Intra-European Fellowships (EIF) Zaproszenie do składania wniosków FP6-2004-MOBILITY-5 Zobacz inne projekty w ramach tego zaproszenia System finansowania SCF - Marie Curie actions-Series of events Koordynator THE MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL Wkład UE Brak danych Adres 20 Park Crescent LONDON Zjednoczone Królestwo Zobacz na mapie Linki Strona internetowa Opens in new window Koszt całkowity Brak danych
