Epithelial and mesenchymal properties of mammary cells: role of kinase signaling and kinase inhibitor(Fostering Joint International Research)

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15KK0347
• Research Category: Fund for the Promotion of Joint International Research (Fostering Joint International Research)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Pathological medical chemistry
• Research Institution: Ehime University
• Principal Investigator: Shinji Fukuda 愛媛大学, プロテオサイエンスセンター, 講師 (70398238)
• Project Period (FY): 2016 – 2019
• Keywords: 乳腺細胞 / キナーゼ阻害剤 / RSK / EGF受容体 / シグナル伝達

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The incidence of breast cancer has increased in Japan. Since metastasis is associated with poor therapeutic outcome, it is crucial to understand the molecular mechanism underlying cancer metastasis and study the druggable targets. In this study, we focused on a signaling kinase RSK2, which plays critical roles in cell growth and motility. We found that RSK2 shuttles between nuclei and cytoplasm. Several compounds that affect kinase activity of RSK were tested. We also tried 3D culture of normal mammary epithlial cells derived from Japanese breast cancer patients.

Free Research Field

分子生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

乳がんの治療成績は他のがんと比べて比較的良好とされるが、転移した乳がんの治療は依然として難しく、転移を抑制できる化合物や、治療薬開発のための技術基盤は極めて重要である。本研究では化学合成したRSK阻害剤の特性を解析し、引き続き新規化合物の評価を続けている。また日本人の正常乳腺組織を使った三次元培養は我々の知る限りまだ報告がなく、将来的に薬の効果や副作用を確かめるために有用な実験系となることが期待できる。