Regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cancer stemness by the non-canonical activation of EphA2.

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K23795
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0801:Pharmaceutical sciences and related fields
• Research Institution: University of Toyama
• Principal Investigator: Zhou Yue 富山大学, 学術研究部薬学・和漢系, 助教 (10733339)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-08-30 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: EphA2 / 上皮間葉転換 / がん幹細胞 / 薬剤耐性

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Our group has reported that the non-canonical activation of EphA2 is involved in cancer malignancy and can be one of target molecules for the development of anti-cancer agents. However, the function of this non-canonical activation of EphA2 is not fully understood. Here, I tried to elucidate whether the non-canonical activation of EphA2 regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cancer stemness and cisplatin-resistance in cancer cells. I found that the non-canonical activation of EphA2 regulates cancer stemness and drug-resistance. Although it does not control EMT, it promotes cell migration by regulating the localization of non-canonical activated EphA2 in mesenchymal cells.

Free Research Field

分子生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

現在、チロシンキナーゼ型受容体を標的としたさまざまながん分子標的薬が開発されており、臨床で使用されている。EphA2はがんの悪性化に関わるが、その詳細な機能解析はなされていない。本研究で得られた研究成果は新たな分子標的治療の基盤となり、臨床研究に向けて革新的な情報を提供できると期待される。