Using differential expression profiling, quantitative two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis and data mining we recently identified a new prognostic biomarker, Fas-associated death domain (FADD), which is overexpressed in a number of human malignancies such as lung, head and neck, brain and adult male germ cell tumors. Studies in lung cancer revealed that overexpression of FADD significantly associated with poor clinical outcome. Immunohistochemistry-based tissue microarray analysis confirmed the association between FADD over-expression and the poor outcome, and also revealed the presence of nuclear localized phosphorylated FADD (p-FADD). Tumors with increased p-FADD expression also showed elevated NF-?B activation. Taken together, published results from our lab and others suggest a causal relationship between the phosphorylation of FADD and NF-?B activation, a hallmark of an aggressive therapy resistant cancer phenotype. Thereby, we hypothesize that inhibiting FADD phosphorylation in tumor cells may sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents. To aid in experimentation of this hypothesis we have resorted to molecular imaging tools and developed a pan FADD kinase reporter (FKR) which non-invasively senses FADD-kinase activity in real time.
In Specific Aim 1, we will characterize the sensitivity and specificity of FKR.
In Specific Aim 2 A we will perform a high throughput screen to identify molecules from a diverse set of compound libraries that target FADD phosphorylation. Utilizing secondary screens with cells expressing either mutant FKR or luciferase, the toxic and less sensitive lead molecules will be eliminated.
In Specific Aim 2 B we will evaluate the relative efficacy of the candidate molecules by quantifying IC50 of the top leads.
In Specific Aim 2 C the specificity of candidate molecules in inhibiting FADD kinases will be investigated using western blotting and protein kinase arrays. The utility of these compounds and their derivatives in the treatment of cancers will be investigated in subsequent years.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
5R21CA131859-02
Application #
7682117
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZCA1-SRLB-Q (M1))
Program Officer
Forry, Suzanne L
Project Start
2008-09-03
Project End
2011-08-31
Budget Start
2009-09-01
Budget End
2011-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$208,575
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Department
Radiation-Diagnostic/Oncology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
073133571
City
Ann Arbor
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48109
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Nyati, Shyam; Schinske, Katrina; Ray, Dipankar et al. (2011) Molecular imaging of TGF?-induced Smad2/3 phosphorylation reveals a role for receptor tyrosine kinases in modulating TGF? signaling. Clin Cancer Res 17:7424-39
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Khan, Amjad P; Schinske, Katrina A; Nyati, Shyam et al. (2010) High-throughput molecular imaging for the identification of FADD kinase inhibitors. J Biomol Screen 15:1063-70
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