Skip to main content
European Commission logo print header

The role of Chk1 in hair follicle stem cells and skin tumorigenesis

Objective

We have found that the ablation of Chk1, a serine-threonine kinase that is activated after DNA damage, strongly reduced the formation of chemically (DMBA/TPA) induced skin tumours, thus suggesting a role of this protein in hair follicle stem cells population, from which tumours are thought to arise. We have observed that deletion of Chk1 causes cell proliferation, DNA damage, and apoptosis within the hair follicle, however the populations affected and the order of events in individual cells have not been clearly defined. I hypothesise that Chk1 deletion causes stem cells to enter an aberrant cell cycle which creates DNA damage during replication and consequently leads to cell death. The purpose of this project is to investigate how Chk1 deletion affects the quiescence, proliferation, and survival of hair follicle stem cells, and to use an in vivo chemical genetic approach to determine whether these processes can be manipulated pharmacologically.

Call for proposal

FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IEF
See other projects for this call

Coordinator

BEATSON INSTITUTE FOR CANCER RESEARCH LBG
EU contribution
€ 173 240,80
Address
SWITCHBACK ROAD GARSCUBE ESTATE
G61 1BD Bearsden
United Kingdom

See on map

Region
Scotland West Central Scotland East Dunbartonshire
Activity type
Research Organisations
Administrative Contact
David Gillespie (Prof.)
Links
Total cost
No data