The role of heterotrimeric G protein in the progression of gynecological cancer

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K09496
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 56040:Obstetrics and gynecology-related
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: Yagi Hiroshi 九州大学, 医学研究院, 助教 (70623552)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 婦人科腫瘍 / GPCR / シグナル伝達

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Ga13, a heterotrimeric G protein, has been reported to be highly expressed in various cancers. However, its role in cancer progression is not fully understood. In this study, we evaluated the role of Ga13 in the progression of uterine endometrial cancer. In uterine endometrial cancer cells, highly expressed Ga13 induced Rho activation, leading to cell proliferation. In addition, Mutations in ARHGAP35, one of the factors that negatively regulates Ga13-Rho signaling, were involved in the enhancement of this signaling pathway. Now, we are working on the development of therapies targeting this signaling pathway.

Free Research Field

婦人科腫瘍学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

細胞膜表面の分子として最大のファミリーを形成しているGPCRは、治療標的分子として代表的なものである。現在の治療薬の約35%がGPCRを標的としているが、標的となっているGPCRは、ヒトのGPCR(800種類以上)のうちの15%に過ぎない。このような現状から、これまで詳細な解析が困難であったGα13シグナル伝達経路を解析し、癌の発生および悪性形質の獲得における役割を明らかにすることが、新たな治療標的の同定、治療法の開発につながると期待される。