Nuclear Myosin VI - a therapeutic target in breast cancer
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Nuclear Myosin VI – a therapeutic target in estrogen receptor positive breast cancer?
IRAS ID
234468
Contact name
Karina Cox
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Gene expression, the transfer of the genetic code into cellular proteins is one of the most fundamental processes
in living cells. This process is orchestrated by protein-based molecular machines, called RNA polymerases that read the DNA sequence to generate messenger RNA (mRNA), which is translated by the cellular machinery to make proteins. Our cells have evolved elaborate regulation mechanisms to control these molecular machines and a breakdown in this regulation leads to diseases such as cancer.
Recently, molecules called myosins have been discovered in the genetic storage compartment of the cell (the nucleus) where they interact with RNA polymerases to regulate protein production. This is interesting because myosins are usually found outside the nucleus transporting cellular cargo or generating muscle contraction. In breast cancer cells, myosin is abundant and interacts with the oestrogen receptor. The majority of breast cancer in the UK is oestrogen receptor positive and activation of this receptor is an important factor controlling the growth of cancer cells. Oestrogen receptor activation appears to be dependent upon myosin and this research project will investigate how myosins are targeted to specific genes and how they are themselves regulated. This will greatly enhance our understanding of the role of nuclear myosins in oestrogen receptor positive breast cancer and may identify a novel therapeutic target for future drug development.REC name
West Midlands - South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/WM/0107
Date of REC Opinion
11 Jun 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion