Grant ID | RP100805 |
Awarded On | January 20, 2010 |
Title | Selective Mitochondrial Autophagy in the Protection Against Cancer |
Program | Academic Research |
Award Mechanism | Individual Investigator |
Institution/Organization | Baylor College of Medicine |
Principal Investigator/Program Director | Jin Wang |
Cancer Sites | Basic Science, Multiple Sites |
Contracted Amount | $871,940 |
Lay Summary |
Loss of autophagy genes causes a variety of cancers, suggesting that autophagy is an important mechanism in the protection against cancer. A Bcl-2 family member, Nix, is required for autophagy of mitochondria that have lost mitochondrial membrane potential. Nix deficiency leads to defective mitochondrial clearance and increased DNA damages. How autophagy of mitochondria protects against DNA damage and cancer has not been determined. Mitochondrial autophagy may play a critical role in the quality control of mitochondria. Defective autophagy could lead to the accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria to produce reactive oxygen species and cause DNA damages, leading to increased genetic mutat... |