EMORY UNIVERSITY
Grant: $99,002 - National Institutes of Health - Sep. 16, 2009
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Award Description: Our long-term goal of the parent grant is to understand the cellular signaling mechanisms in intestinal epithelia with an emphasis on how protein-protein interaction affects the specificity and efficiency of signaling processes. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) has been shown to exert growth factor-like effects. Signaling by LPA is primarily mediated through a family of G-protein-coupled receptors, LPA1, LPA2 and LPA3. Despite more than a decade of study on LPA signaling, receptor subtype specific signaling and functions are not fully elucidated. However, this knowledge is a key to the rational design of therapeutic interventions targeting the novel intermediates and the pivotal pathways. We have shown that LPA2 expression is elevated in colon cancer and that LPA mediates tumorigenic effects on colon cancer cells. However, overexpression of LPA2 by itself does not induce the formation of tumors. Instead, LPA2-mediated signaling increases tumorigenic potential as evidenced by our recent study that the absence of LPA2 protects mice form carcinogen- or colitis-induced tumor formation (this study in print by Gastroenterology). In addition, we have succesfully identify KLF5 as a novel target of LPA and have shown a funtional role of KLF5 in LPA-induced tumorigenic regulation. Our unpublish data suggest an inhibitory of of MAGI-3, which is another novel finding in the field of LPA. In light of these new findings in the past 2 yr and 3 month, it becomes more urgent to understand the molecular basis of LPA-mediated tumorigenesis. This is in part because LPA is not only generated in our body but some foods have high contents of LPA, a evidence that our life style influences the pathogenesis of colon cancer. Our understanding of LPA and its receptor is far from complete and our lab has made a singificant contribution to the field and hope to extend our study. However, for us to be more effective we need further help from the National Institutes of Health. Therefore, we request several instruments to facilitate our study. These instruments should enhance data collection and analysis and will make a significant impact on our success.
Project Description: Equpment will be purchased to facilitate data collection and analysis.
Infrastructure Description: N/A
Jobs Summary: Job creationg is not expected but equipment purchase should contribute to the economy. (Total jobs reported: 0)
Project Status: Not Started
This award's data was last updated on Sep. 16, 2009. Help expand these official descriptions using the wiki below.
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