New grant to study YB-1 in breast cancer

Thursday, November 18th, 2010 | ajeffs | Comments Off on New grant to study YB-1 in breast cancer

The lab has been successful in gaining a slice of the joint-funded  HRC/A*STAR cancer research initiative to promote collaboration between investigators in New Zealand and Singapore. The following is a summary of the funding published in the HRC and Otago press release.

YB-1 interacting partners in breast cancer progression
Principal Investigators: Professor Antony Braithwaite (Department of Pathology, University of Otago) and Professor Boon Huat Bay (National University of Singapore).
Project summary:Y-box binding protein 1 (YB-1) is commonly elevated in many human cancers. The cancer-promoting properties of YB-1 are associated with increased resistance to drugs, tumour growth and poor patient outcome. Control of these processes takes place in the nucleus. The precise molecular nature of the active cancer-promoting subtype of YB-1 present in the nucleus is unknown. Identification of this species will provide the basis for a specific and highly prognostic indicator. This proposal, which builds on our recently published analyses of endogenous YB-1, aims to identify the molecular nature of this cancer-promoting subtype of YB-1 and to determine how it functions. From this knowledge we will develop an antibody that specifically recognises only the nuclear YB-1 species and establish this species as a prognostic indicator for human cancers.

HRC grant awarded to study p53 isoforms in cancer

Friday, September 10th, 2010 | ajeffs | Comments Off on HRC grant awarded to study p53 isoforms in cancer

Congratulations to Antony Braithwaite and colleagues for gaining funding from the Health Research Council of New Zealand to study the role of p53 isoforms in cancer. Co-investigators on the grant are Noelyn Hung, Aaron Jeffs and Tania Slatter, all of the Department of Pathology.

Grant details:
Professor Antony Braithwaite
Department of Pathology, University of Otago, Tel (03) 479 7165
Can isoforms of the p53 tumour suppressor cause cancer?
36 months, $1,158,492

Research in the CTG

Friday, August 20th, 2010 | ajeffs | Comments Off on Research in the CTG

The Cell Transformation Group is interested in the p53 tumour suppressor protein. Research revolves around studies on how p53 works; how another cancer-related protein called YBX-1 affects p53 function; and the mechanism of YBX-1 signalling. Projects include:

  • Importance of the proline domain in p53 dependent apoptosis.
  • Importance of the proline domain in tumour suppression by p53.
  • Role of the p53 isoforms in p53 function.
  • Disease predisposition and p53.
  • Interactions between Y-box binding protein (YBX-1) and p53.
  • Binding partners of YBX-1.
  • Investigation into BRCA-1 signalling pathway in ovarian cells.

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