Grant: Operating Grant - PA: Genetics (Bridge Funding: Research Priorities)

Healthy cells have evolved a number of ways to respond to their environment and adapt to stresses. In these situations, one critical way that cells respond to such cues is by controlling the cohort of proteins they synthesize. This allows the cell to adapt to new circumstances. However, abnormalities in the regulation of these responses (dysregulation) can lead to diseases like cancer and neurodegeneration. One class of factors known to have an important function in the control of protein synthesis is the La and La-related proteins. Dysregulation of function of the La and La-related proteins has been linked extensively to cancer and infection by viruses, but we do not understand how. In this proposal, we will identify the genes that rely on these factors as well as the ways in which they control gene expression. Our work will therefore lead to a substantial new understanding for many challenges to human health and may lead to development of cures for cancer and viral infections.