MRTFSen | MRTF/SRF signalling in regulation of cell senescence and melanoma progression

Summary
Myocardin-related transcription factors (MRTFs) are G-actin binding proteins which act as transcriptional co-activators Myocardin-related transcription factors (MRTFs) are G-actin binding proteins which act as transcriptional co-activators in association with the transcription factor SRF. MRTF-SRF target genes encode numerous proteins involved in actin dynamics, cell adhesion, migration and contractility. The subcellular localization of the MRTFs is controlled by actin binding which inhibits their nuclear import and promotes their nuclear export. Extracellular signals which activate Rho-family GTPases induce actin polymerization and G-actin depletion, which induces MRTF shuttling to the nucleus and transcriptional activation of MRTF-SRF target genes. The MRTF-SRF pathway activation via Rho plays an important role in cancer cell invasion and metastasis. In addition, in MRTF-SRF signalling inhibits cell senescence in hepatocarcinoma cells which present high Rho activity, but this has not been investigated in other cell types or cancer models. Cell senescence is a process of cell-cycle arrest which typically occurs in ageing, cancer, development or tissue repair, and can facilitate recruitment of immune cells. In the tumour microenvironment, senescent cells can direct events such as therapeutic resistance or metastasis that support malignant progression. In this project we will determine the molecular mechanisms by which MRTF-SRF signalling inhibits cell senescence in MEFs. We also aim to investigate the possibility for it to modulate melanoma progression in the BRafV600E mouse model, where senescence is an initial step prior tumour transformation. Increasing evidence suggests that anti- and pro-senescent therapies can be beneficial also in other pathologies, such as fibrosis, by limiting cell proliferation and allowing clearance of damaged cells. These studies have the potential to reveal new approaches to the modulation of senescence pathways for therapeutic benefit.
Unfold all
/
Fold all
More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/897131
Start date: 01-04-2020
End date: 31-03-2022
Total budget - Public funding: 224 933,76 Euro - 224 933,00 Euro
Cordis data

Original description

Myocardin-related transcription factors (MRTFs) are G-actin binding proteins which act as transcriptional co-activators Myocardin-related transcription factors (MRTFs) are G-actin binding proteins which act as transcriptional co-activators in association with the transcription factor SRF. MRTF-SRF target genes encode numerous proteins involved in actin dynamics, cell adhesion, migration and contractility. The subcellular localization of the MRTFs is controlled by actin binding which inhibits their nuclear import and promotes their nuclear export. Extracellular signals which activate Rho-family GTPases induce actin polymerization and G-actin depletion, which induces MRTF shuttling to the nucleus and transcriptional activation of MRTF-SRF target genes. The MRTF-SRF pathway activation via Rho plays an important role in cancer cell invasion and metastasis. In addition, in MRTF-SRF signalling inhibits cell senescence in hepatocarcinoma cells which present high Rho activity, but this has not been investigated in other cell types or cancer models. Cell senescence is a process of cell-cycle arrest which typically occurs in ageing, cancer, development or tissue repair, and can facilitate recruitment of immune cells. In the tumour microenvironment, senescent cells can direct events such as therapeutic resistance or metastasis that support malignant progression. In this project we will determine the molecular mechanisms by which MRTF-SRF signalling inhibits cell senescence in MEFs. We also aim to investigate the possibility for it to modulate melanoma progression in the BRafV600E mouse model, where senescence is an initial step prior tumour transformation. Increasing evidence suggests that anti- and pro-senescent therapies can be beneficial also in other pathologies, such as fibrosis, by limiting cell proliferation and allowing clearance of damaged cells. These studies have the potential to reveal new approaches to the modulation of senescence pathways for therapeutic benefit.

Status

CLOSED

Call topic

MSCA-IF-2019

Update Date

28-04-2024
Geographical location(s)
Structured mapping
Unfold all
/
Fold all
EU-Programme-Call
Horizon 2020
H2020-EU.1. EXCELLENT SCIENCE
H2020-EU.1.3. EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
H2020-EU.1.3.2. Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
H2020-MSCA-IF-2019
MSCA-IF-2019