Defining the adaptive biological pathways mediating survival of starved KRAS mutant cancer cells and accommodating tumorigenesis
2025-07-23 12:01
Defining the adaptive biological pathways mediating survival of starved KRAS mutant cancer cells and accommodating tumorigenesis
Project goal: Considering an altered cancer cell metabolism that is highly evident in KRAS mutant cancer cells, we propose to define their adaptive and survival pathways turned on in response to starvation conditions by performing the polysomal profiling and transcriptomic studies
Project description: This project aims to investigate the regulation of translation under metabolic stress in cancer cells, focusing on how serum deprivation and nutrient limitations affect polysome loading and selective mRNA translation. Using ribosome profiling, RNA-seq, and biochemical validation, we will identify translationally regulated genes and pathways involved in adaptive responses. The study may reveal new molecular targets that help cancer cells survive metabolic challenges
Expected results: We expect to identify mRNAs that are selectively translated under serum and nutrient deprivation in cancer cells. The results will highlight key adaptive translational responses and reveal candidate genes and pathways that support survival under metabolic stress
Methodology: We will perform ribosome profiling and RNA sequencing to compare translational and transcriptional responses in cancer cells under normal and stress conditions (serum or nutrient deprivation). Bioinformatics analysis will be used to uncover enriched pathways and regulatory mechanisms