The molecular regulation of differentiation, proliferation and highly malignancy character of small cell lung cancer by proteomic analysis of post-translational modification.

• Project/Area Number: 23790914
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Respiratory organ internal medicine
• Research Institution: Kumamoto University
• Principal Investigator: Niimori Kanako (2013) 熊本大学, 大学院生命科学研究部, 助教 (30457600)
• Project Period (FY): 2011-04-28 – 2013-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2013)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,160,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥960,000); Fiscal Year 2012: ¥1,950,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥450,000); Fiscal Year 2011: ¥2,210,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥510,000)
• Keywords: 翻訳後修飾 / 神経幹細胞 / リン酸化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Our aim is to clarify the mechanisms of differentiation, proliferation and highly malignant behavior of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) using the post-translational modification proteomics method. In our previous study using the post-translational modification proteomics method, we identified the critical phosphorylated proteins, such as stem cell maintenance factor 1/ SMF1, and differentiation promoting factor 1/ DPF1, both of which work as the neural stem cell differentiation controlling factor. Since SCLC shows the neuronal differentiation, we hypothesized that SCLC has the common regulating molecular system with the neural cell differentiation control. Therefore, we attempted to clarify the functions of these identified molecules in human SCLC, analyzing histopathological samples, cell lines, and xenotransplanted samples. As a result, these molecules showed higher expression in SCLC compared to non-SCLC, and were specifically phosphorylated in SCLC cells.