Grant: Operating Grant

Extracellular signaling molecules bind to specific receptors at the cell surface that will initiate a cascade of signal inside the cell and control a wide variety of biological responses such as proliferation, differentiation, migration and modulation of cell survival. Signal termination from these receptors is triggered by a number of mechanisms including an uncoupling of the cell surface receptor from its intracellular effector or the internalization and degradation of the receptor. It has been established that elevated expression of cell surface receptor, enhanced receptor signaling and impaired receptor deactivation are frequently implicated in hyperproliferative diseases such as cancer. Therefore, gaining a better understanding of key proteins involved in the regulation of the signaling pathway and receptor downregulation is crucial. Our research team is studying Calnuc which might be one of these critical protein. Our main goal is to understand the importance of calnuc in the regulation of normal and altered cellular responses in the context of cancer. By carefully studying the receptor signaling cascades and trafficking regulated by Calnuc, we will gain insights on the role of this protein. Results generated from these studies may lead to the identification of new therapeutic targets, and the developments of new drugs for the treatment of a broad variety of pathological conditions.