NIBIB - Mapping and Modeling ErbB Receptor Membrane Topography

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Mapping and Modeling ErbB Receptor Membrane Topography

Contact Information
Funding Agency
Research Emphasis
Disease Focus
Scales Examined
Biomedical, Biological & Behavioral Areas
Modeling Methods & Tools
Software Development

Contact Information

Principal Investigator/Contact
Bridget S. Wilson, Ph.D.
University of New Mexico
Phone: (505)-272-8852
Fax: (505)-272-1435
E-mail: bwilson@salud.unm.edu

Co-PIs and Collaborators
Jeremy Edwards, Ph.D.
Stanly Steinberg, Ph.D.
Janet Oliver, Ph.D.
Kimberly Leslie, M.D.

Grant Number - 1-R01-CA-119232-01

Funding Agency

National Cancer Institute (NIH-NCI)

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Research Emphasis

The goal of this project is to understand the topographical regulation of ErbB signaling in endometrial cancer, a disease where amplification of ErbB1 (the EGFR) and ErbB2 genes is associated with poor outcome.

The researchers propose the following:
1) To map the topography of ErbB receptors and their associated signaling molecules
2) To apply rigorous biochemical and statistical analyses to establish quantities of signaling molecules, their distributions and their relationships
3) To use these spatial and quantitative data as a framework for multiscale simulations of the signaling process

EGF, Epidermal Growth Factor, is a polypeptide (small protein) that is a powerful mitogen. [It stimulates cells to enter mitosis, cell division.] EGF promotes cell growth and differentiation, is essential in embryogenesis, and is important in wound healing.

EGFR is a protein found on the surface of cells to which epidermal growth factor [EGF] binds. When EGF attaches to EGFR, it activates the enzyme tyrosine kinase, triggering reactions that cause the cells to grow and multiply.

Abstract

Disease Focus

Cancer

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Scales Examined

Time Scales

Microsecond (μs)
Millisecond (ms)
Second(s)
Minutes
Hours

Biological Scales

Molecular
Molecular Complexes
Sub-Cellular
Cellular
Tissue

Length Scales

Nanometer and below (nm)
Micrometer (μm)
Millimeter (mm)
Centimeter (cm)

Biomedical, Biological and Behavioral (BBB) Areas and Percent Focus

50% - electron microscopy and protein measurements to map and quantitate changing distributions of ErbB receptors - associated signaling proteins in endometrial cancer cell lines. Phospho-proteomics in endometrial tumors (a measurement of steady-state levels).