MINORITY PREDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The long term goal of this project is to understand how Src can induce the formation of podosomes leading to an invasive phenotype. Many human cancers have elevated Src kinase activity, and tumor progression, especially metastatic tumors, correlates with this increase in activity. Increased Src activity constitutively stimulates many downstream signaling pathways leading to the formation of invasive structures termed podosomes. Podosomes are sites of actin polymerization, cell attachment and protease secretion. Many proteins associated with these processes are direct Src substrates. We hope to gain insight into what proteins and signaling pathways are essential for podosome formation and cellular invasion. To do this, we are going to utilize RNAi technology to knockout the integrin-F-actin linker protein and Src substrate vinculin. We can then test how Src phosphorylation of vinculin effects its overall function in vivo. Second, we are going to look at the role of ERK5 in podosome formation and invasion. Preliminary data from our lab indicate that ERK5 activity is required for podosome formation. Using ERK5 -/- cells we will express an activated form of Src and determine its capacity to induce podosome formation.