Analysis of the mechanism of cell proliferation regulated by the endoplasmic reticulum stress sensor BBF2H7

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26860191
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: General medical chemistry
• Research Institution: Hiroshima University
• Principal Investigator: Zhang Yizhou 広島大学, 医歯薬保健学研究院(医), 研究員 (70711117)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: BBF2H7 / 小胞体ストレス / 抗体医薬 / がん分子標的治療

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Triggered by cellular stress like being exposed to hypoxia or low glucose environments, the membrane-anchored BBF2H7 protein, a member of endoplasmic reticulum stress sensors, undergoes cleavage, and subsequently a portion of the cleaved fragments is secreted into the extracellular matrix. According to our investigation, these secreted fragments were able to promote the growth of several kinds of solid tumor. Using the BBF2H7 secreted fragment as a target, we developed neutralizing antibodies which can inhibit the growth of glioma, prostate cancer and hepatocarcinoma. And we demonstrated that these antibodies can inhibit the proliferation and invasion of glioma cells. The BBF2H7 neutralizing antibodies we developed showed intriguing potential to be a candidate for molecularly-targeted cancer therapy.

Free Research Field

消化器内科学