p14ARF induces p53-independent growth arrest by modulating the activities of the E4F and E2F transcription factors [ 2003 - 2005 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Helen Rizos (Principal investigator) ,  Prof Richard Kefford

Brief description Cutaneous malignant melanoma is an important public health problem, affecting 1 in 30 Australians at some time in their lives, and the incidence of this disaese is increasing rapidly. Approximately 10% of people in Australia are at high risk of developing melanoma because they carry a faulty gene. Many of these melanoma-prone individuals carry a single mutation that can disrupt two genes, p16INK4a and p14ARF, that are involved in regulating the growth of cells via different pathways. The role of p16INK4a in maintaining cell cycle control is well understood and the many functions of this gene are under intense investigation. In contrast, the functions of p14ARF in normal cell regulation are not well understood. We will be analysing in detail how p14ARF protects the cell from uncontrolled growth and inhibits cancer development. Our research will dissect the functions of p14ARF and determine the protein partners that co-operate with p14ARF in maintaining normal cell growth. This work is essential to our understanding of normal cell proliferation and melanoma development and will provide clinically useful information regarding the biology of human cancer.

Funding Amount $AUD 235,500.00

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant