nAChRs-CRC-PCa-IF-RI | Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors nAChRs in Prostate and Colon Cell Cancer: pharmacology, mechanism, cellular (mal)function

Summary
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are transmembrane ligand gated ion channels composed of five subunits and encoded by 16 genes. Depending on the subunit composition nAChRs have different properties and functions. It is widely accepted that smoking tobacco is correlated with several types of cancers and that nicotine and tobacco-derived nitrosamines are known to activate nAChRs contributing to oncogenic processes. To date the question of whether nAChRs contribute to the cellular malfunctions involved in prostate and colon cancer still remains unanswered. Our preliminary results show for the first-time different expression levels of nAChRs subunits in prostate and colon cancer cell lines. Most strikingly is the clear difference of expression of nAChRs subunits between cancerous vs. non-cancerous cells, depending on the aggressiveness and cell type. The question arises whether these differences have a physiological impact. In the present project I will investigate the pathophysiological role of nAChRs in prostate and colorectal cancer. My aim is to (1) Identify and characterize nAChRs involved in prostate and colon cancer; (2) study the role of nAChRs in migration, proliferation and invasion in prostate and colon cancer; (3) the influence of a duplicated isoform of the α7 nAChR subunit, dupα7, and its anti-angiogenic properties in CRC and PCa; and (4) the role of chemotherapeutic drugs, which could augment nAChRs expression in cancer and contribute to chemoresistance. The present project will be performed at the laboratory of Dr. Peinelt University of Bern, an established research group with a focus on the pathophysiology of ion channels in prostate and colorectal cancer and in collaboration with the Urology Department of the University Hospital Inselspital Bern. The Marie Curie IF will help me to further develop leadership skills, scientific maturity and independence and will be crucial for my aim to obtain an independent academic position in the future.
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More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101027428
Start date: 01-04-2022
End date: 31-03-2024
Total budget - Public funding: 203 149,44 Euro - 203 149,00 Euro
Cordis data

Original description

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are transmembrane ligand gated ion channels composed of five subunits and encoded by 16 genes. Depending on the subunit composition nAChRs have different properties and functions. It is widely accepted that smoking tobacco is correlated with several types of cancers and that nicotine and tobacco-derived nitrosamines are known to activate nAChRs contributing to oncogenic processes. To date the question of whether nAChRs contribute to the cellular malfunctions involved in prostate and colon cancer still remains unanswered. Our preliminary results show for the first-time different expression levels of nAChRs subunits in prostate and colon cancer cell lines. Most strikingly is the clear difference of expression of nAChRs subunits between cancerous vs. non-cancerous cells, depending on the aggressiveness and cell type. The question arises whether these differences have a physiological impact. In the present project I will investigate the pathophysiological role of nAChRs in prostate and colorectal cancer. My aim is to (1) Identify and characterize nAChRs involved in prostate and colon cancer; (2) study the role of nAChRs in migration, proliferation and invasion in prostate and colon cancer; (3) the influence of a duplicated isoform of the α7 nAChR subunit, dupα7, and its anti-angiogenic properties in CRC and PCa; and (4) the role of chemotherapeutic drugs, which could augment nAChRs expression in cancer and contribute to chemoresistance. The present project will be performed at the laboratory of Dr. Peinelt University of Bern, an established research group with a focus on the pathophysiology of ion channels in prostate and colorectal cancer and in collaboration with the Urology Department of the University Hospital Inselspital Bern. The Marie Curie IF will help me to further develop leadership skills, scientific maturity and independence and will be crucial for my aim to obtain an independent academic position in the future.

Status

TERMINATED

Call topic

MSCA-IF-2020

Update Date

28-04-2024
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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-2020
MSCA-IF-2020 Individual Fellowships