The p97/VCP system in Ionising Radiation Response

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Maintaining the integrity of our cells' DNA and proteins is essential to remain healthy. However, cellular metabolic processes, external factors like UV or medical treatments like ionizing radiation constantly damage our DNA and proteins. If not repaired, such DNA damage can lead to the development of a range of diseases including accelerated ageing, neurodegeneration and cancer or even cell and organismal death. Cells have evolved specialised DNA repair and protein quality control mechanisms to detect and repair DNA and protein damage and thus protect us from the associated diseases. Cancer cells suffer from severe DNA and protein damage but upregulate various cellular mechanisms to allow their survival. One of these mechanisms is upregulation of p97 ATPase, an enzyme that is involved in both DNA repair and removal of damaged proteins. Indeed, it has been shown that altering the functions of p97 enhances selective lethality of various cancer cells, and that the use of p97 inhibitors combined with ionising radiation renders some tumours more radiosensitive. Although this is currently a promising clinical research avenue, the molecular mechanisms underlying these p97 increased dependencies in cancer cells remain poorly understood. Before translating this concept into the clinic, we have to understand the molecular details of why p97 inactivation causes radiosensitivity and cancer cell death. Therefore, we aim to further study p97 ATPase, the essential enzyme in DNA repair and removal of damaged proteins, with the special focus on its role in cellular response to ionizing radiation. This is a basic science research programme that has a strong potential to improve the outcome of ionizing radiation therapy.