Project 462700

The role of FMNL2 in invasion and metastasis

462700

The role of FMNL2 in invasion and metastasis

$768,826
Project Information
Study Type: Unclear
Research Theme: Biomedical
Institution & Funding
Principal Investigator(s): Copeland, John W
Co-Investigator(s): Benoit, Yannick D
Institution: University of Ottawa
CIHR Institute: Cancer Research
Program: Project Grant
Peer Review Committee: Cell Biology - Molecular/Fundamental
Competition Year: 2022
Term: 5 yrs 0 mth
Abstract Summary

For many types of cancer it is the spread of the tumor away from its original location that ultimately proves lethal. This process, called metastasis, is driven by cell motility (movement). My laboratory studies a protein called FMNL2 that regulates cell motility. Research from my lab, and others, suggests that FMNL2 activity is essential for metastasis of melanoma, colorectal cancer and possibly many other tumours. The goal of this project is to test this idea directly and thereby determine if we can block metastasis when we eliminate the function of FMNL2 in melanoma cancer cells. The first generation of drugs that inhibit the activity of proteins like FMNL2 have now been developed. Thus this research will provide a foundation for the development of future treatments that will prevent FMNL2-dependent tumor metastasis.

No special research characteristics identified

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Keywords
Actin Cytoskeleton Ena/Vasp Proteins Filopodia Focal Adhesions Formin Homology Proteins I-Bar Proteins Melanoma Metastasis Microtubules