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A
researcher in Italy will attempt to better understand the role of the A-T
protein (ATM) in programmed cell death or suicide, a process that scientists
call “apoptosis.” Knowledge of how ATM regulates apoptosis will provide
insight into the pathology of this disease and help researchers develop
potential therapeutic interventions.
After a cell has incurred damage to its genetic material (or DNA), a series
of internal events will take place to stop cell division and growth and
allow DNA repair to take place. Alternatively, the cell may undergo
programmed cell death and be eliminated (if, for example, the amount of DNA
damage is too great to repair). If neither of these events takes place, then
the cell may retain the damaged DNA and transform into a cancer cell.
Importantly, the ATM protein coordinates a cell’s response to a certain type
of DNA damage. However, the precise mechanism by which a cell chooses
between repair and apoptosis following damage is not completely understood.
To help elucidate the role of ATM in the apoptotic process, Daniela
Barilá,
PhD, Assistant Telethon Scientist of the Delbecco Telethon Institute at the
University of Tor Vergata in Rome, Italy has been awarded a grant by the A-T
Children’s Project. Dr. Barila’s laboratory will investigate the role of ATM
in death-receptor induced apoptosis. This form of programmed cell death
results when a specific protein binds a special receptor on the cell’s
surface (a so-called “death” receptor). This interaction, in turn, signals a
cascade of events to occur within the cell, ultimately resulting in its
demise. Moreover, this pathway plays an important role in the development of
the immune system, which is severely affected in A-T.
Dr. Barilá and her team have obtained evidence that the ATM protein may be
turned on following activation of the death receptor pathway. Dr. Barila’s
laboratory will investigate this finding further and attempt to determine
which proteins are targeted by ATM during death receptor mediated apoptosis.
In addition, Dr. Barilá and her lab will observe how this type of apoptosis
occurs in cells which are deficient in ATM protein. “This project, “states
Dr. Barila, “will make a significant contribution to understanding the
molecular basis of A-T pathology.” Therefore, Dr. Barila’s A-T Children’s
Project funded research contributes to the quest for potential drug targets
for A-T. |
