Grant: Foundation Grant

All human cells, including cancer cells and nerve cells in the brain are highly compartmentalized, and proteins move between the compartments in small membrane bound transport carriers. This process called membrane trafficking controls the levels of proteins and allows the proteins to function at their proper cellular location. Membrane trafficking is highly regulated and alterations in proteins that control membrane trafficking are a feature of many human diseases including neurological disorders and cancer. We have identified exciting new links between a family of proteins that regulate membrane trafficking with cancer and neurological disease. The studies described in this program will provide new insight into the fundamental mechanisms of membrane trafficking and how alterations in this process lead to disease.