The development of cancer involves somatic genetic changes leading to alterations in the control of cell proliferation. Such alterations result in clonal cell accumulation at the site of tumor origin. However, for a tumor to harm the host through invasion and/or metastasis, the cells must also acquire heritable alterations in the determinants of cell survival. Members of the Bcl-2 family play critical roles in the regulation of cell survival. The Bcl-2 family is comprised of two major subgroups. One subgroup, which includes the oncogenes Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, prevents cells from undergoing apoptosis. The other major subgroup of Bcl-2-related proteins, which includes Bax and Bak, plays a critical role in the execution of apoptotic cell death. All Bcl-2 family members have been shown to localize to intracellular membranes where they contribute to the regulation of membrane integrity and/or the modulation of membrane transporter function. Although the Bcl-2 family plays a central role in apoptotic cell death, recent evidence suggests that the Bcl-2 family contributes to the regulation of additional cellular processes including: 1) the regulation of ADP-coupled oxidative phosphorylation, 2) intracellular calcium signaling, 3) cell proliferation; and 4) autophagy. Studies over the last five years have not only established a role for Bax and Bak in apoptosis, but led us to develop a variety of cell lines and reagents to explore the molecular basis through which Bcl-2 family proteins regulate these additional cellular processes. In this competitive renewal, we seek to use these reagents to: 1) determine the molecular basis by which Bcl-2 proteins contribute to the regulation of cell proliferation, 2) examine the mechanisms by which Bcl-2 proteins contribute to autophagy versus apoptosis; and 3) investigate how cells can potentially use autophagy to execute programmed cell death. By carrying out these studies, we hope to develop a better understanding of the cell biological processes collectively modulated by the Bcl-2 family. Through a more complete definition of how Bcl-2 proteins contribute to the regulation of cell survival and proliferation, we hope to provide insights that might lead to more successful clinical treatment of tumors that display oncogenic alteration in the balance of pro-apoptotic versus anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members. ? ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01CA099179-06
Application #
7371324
Study Section
Cancer Molecular Pathobiology Study Section (CAMP)
Program Officer
Spalholz, Barbara A
Project Start
2003-01-01
Project End
2012-12-31
Budget Start
2008-01-25
Budget End
2008-12-31
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$302,625
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pennsylvania
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
042250712
City
Philadelphia
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
19104
Cheong, Heesun; Lindsten, Tullia; Wu, Junmin et al. (2011) Ammonia-induced autophagy is independent of ULK1/ULK2 kinases. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 108:11121-6
Joo, Joung Hyuck; Dorsey, Frank C; Joshi, Aashish et al. (2011) Hsp90-Cdc37 chaperone complex regulates Ulk1- and Atg13-mediated mitophagy. Mol Cell 43:572-85
Cárdenas, César; Miller, Russell A; Smith, Ian et al. (2010) Essential regulation of cell bioenergetics by constitutive InsP3 receptor Ca2+ transfer to mitochondria. Cell 142:270-83
Wellen, Kathryn E; Thompson, Craig B (2010) Cellular metabolic stress: considering how cells respond to nutrient excess. Mol Cell 40:323-32
Gruber, Joshua J; Zatechka, D Steven; Sabin, Leah R et al. (2009) Ars2 links the nuclear cap-binding complex to RNA interference and cell proliferation. Cell 138:328-39
Jacob, Dena A; Ray, Theresa; Bengston, C Lynn et al. (2008) The role of cell death in sexually dimorphic muscle development: male-specific muscles are retained in female bax/bak knockout mice. Dev Neurobiol 68:1303-14
Kundu, Mondira; Lindsten, Tullia; Yang, Chia-Ying et al. (2008) Ulk1 plays a critical role in the autophagic clearance of mitochondria and ribosomes during reticulocyte maturation. Blood 112:1493-502
Jones, Russell G; Bui, Thi; White, Carl et al. (2007) The proapoptotic factors Bax and Bak regulate T Cell proliferation through control of endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) homeostasis. Immunity 27:268-80