The goal of this proposal is to investigate the mechanism by which alteration in the telomere binding protein POT1 results in tumorigenesis. Mutations in POT1 (>100) have been associated with several types of human cancers such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), cutaneous T cell lymphomas (CTCL), mantel cell lymphomas, parathyroid adenomas, gliomas, and melanomas. Our preliminary data indicate that perturbations in POT1 lead to replication stress at telomeres and telomere dysfunction. Moreover, we have shown that inhibition of POT1 in the common lymphoid progenitor cells (CLPs) promotes the formation of thymic lymphomas in mice. Here we will test our hypothesis that POT1 mutations trigger telomere replication stress which in turn leads to genome instability and cancer development. In addition, we will address the mechanism that enables cancer cells with POT1 mutations to bypass telomere replication stress and proliferate indefinitely. Lastly, we will develop a genetic screen to interrogate POT1 mutations in vivo and identify driver-mutations. In conclusion, our study will provide an important step towards identifying novel and effective therapeutic targets to treat an increasing number of cancer patients with POT1 mutations.

Public Health Relevance

We have developed a novel mouse model to study the consequences of telomere dysfunction during tumorigenesis. Using this model, we will address how replication stress at telomeres results in genome instability and cancer development.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project--Cooperative Agreements (U01)
Project #
1U01CA231019-01
Application #
9589210
Study Section
Cancer Etiology Study Section (CE)
Program Officer
Witkin, Keren L
Project Start
2018-09-03
Project End
2023-08-31
Budget Start
2018-09-03
Budget End
2019-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2018
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
New York University
Department
Anatomy/Cell Biology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
121911077
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10016