Intact protien as a cancer fuel source

Princeton University, Princeton NJ

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Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): As a result of aberrant signaling, cancer cells undergo metabolic reprogramming, which enables persistent growth and proliferation despite nutrient scarcity. Metabolic changes include the activation of various mechanisms for nutrient assimilation, such as the expression of high- affinity amino acid transporters. Accordingly, most studies of nutrient uptake in cancer have focused on monomeric nutrients (e.g. glucose and glutamine), ignoring intact macromolecules as a potential fuel source. Recently, we discovered that Ras-transformed cells use macropinocytosis of intact protein as an alternative means for amino acid acquisition. This process enables Ras-driven cells to grow in low glutamine environments, and its inhibition selectively blocks the growth of Ras-activated human pancreatic cancer xenografts. Thus, uptake and catabolism of intact protein is an important nutrient uptake mechanism for Ras- driven cancers, including pancreatic cancer. The overall goal of my Ph.D. thesis is to expand basic science knowledge about this mode of eating in pancreatic cancer. In Aim 1, I will develop both cell biological and isotope-tracer methods to quantitate the extent to which macropinocytosis of protein can substitute for free amino acids in cultured cells. In Aim 2, I will develop related isotope tracer methods for xenografts. Finally, in Aim 3, I will conduct a RNAi screen for genes essential to effective amino acid acquisition via protein degradation. Collectively, these aims will better define the significance of and molecular machinery for tumor cell eating of intact extracellular protein, a novel nutrient acquisition mechanism.