Investigating a novel amyloid-formation mechanism in cancer

Overview

The latest developments in cancer therapies aim to increase patient survival and decrease the side effects, and this has been mainly achieved by targeted cancer therapy and immunotherapy.

The basis of novel treatment options is a detailed understanding of the molecular mechanisms of cancers. Although treatments for some cancers have improved over the years, the average survival time is still frustratingly low. To improve current methods and improve patient treatment, we need a more detailed understanding of processes taking place in tumours.

We recently discovered that the major tumour suppressor protein p16 can form amyloids.1 Protein amyloids are a fibrillar protein structure that has so far mainly been studied in neurodegeneration such as in a-beta in Alzheimer’s and a-synuclein in Parkinson’s disease. The role of amyloids in cancer has not been investigated so far.

p16 is amongst the most mutated proteins in cancer and one of the hallmarks for tumours such as melanoma and cervical cancer. We are currently studying the molecular mechanisms and consequences of amyloid formation in cancer by using a broad array of methods that covers a spectrum from cell biology to molecular structure determination, the study of cancer mutations and the development of tools to measure amyloids in tumours.

Preferred student expertise:

Students from various backgrounds are accepted. A strong passion for learning new methods is a plus. There is scope within the project for following different directions depending on the interests of the student.

Publications

[1] Heath, S.G., Gray, S.G., Hamzah, E.M. et al. Amyloid formation and depolymerization of tumour sup-pressor p16INK4a are regulated by a thiol-dependent redox mechanism. Nature Communications. 15, 5535 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-49581-7

This is one of a number of projects on offer from BBiomedSc(Hons) at the University of Otago, Christchurch campus.

Additional information

• UOC BBiomedSc(Hons)
• Dr Christoph Goebl’s profile page
• Department of Pathology and Biomedical Science
• Mātai Hāora – Centre for Redox Biology and Medicine

Useful information

• Graduate research at the University of Otago
• Scholarships at the University of Otago