Cytoskeleton-YAP axis regulates lung cancer resistanc: From mechanism to therapy

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K08580
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 53030:Respiratory medicine-related
• Research Institution: Miyagi Prefectural Hospital Organization Miyagi Cancer Center
• Principal Investigator: Fukuhara Tatsuro 地方独立行政法人宮城県立病院機構宮城県立がんセンター(研究所), がん先進治療開発研究部, 特任研究員 (80400365)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 田中 伸幸 地方独立行政法人宮城県立病院機構宮城県立がんセンター(研究所), がん先進治療開発研究部, 部長 (60280872)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: がん / 細胞骨格

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The receptors for growth factors play a role in controlling the physical environment of cancer by transmitting mechanical signals, such as changes in cell shape and movement, in addition to signals that promote cell growth. Based on the analysis of YAP in cells with mutated EGFR, YAP is activated by EGFR. Studying YAP target genes also showed that EGFR signals activate the transcription of these genes. On the other hand, when the cytoskeleton is inhibited, it causes an increase in cell stress and, at the same time, inhibits cell movement, invasion, and growth. These findings suggest that YAP collaborates with the actin cytoskeleton to enhance the harmful characteristics of lung cancer.

Free Research Field

がん治療学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では肺がんと細胞骨格の関連に関する示唆に富む結果を得た。肺がんは治療抵抗性が問題となっており、本研究により明らかとなった細胞骨格によるアポトーシス抵抗性の発揮は、新たな治療戦略の設定に寄与する可能性がある。肺がんの新たな治療法開発に繋がれば社会的貢献となることが期待される。