Control of glutamine metabolism by E2F1

Cancer is a major public health problem worldwide and a leading cause of death, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020. Cancer is a generic term for a large group of diseases that can affect any part of the body. One defining feature of cancer is the rapid creation of abnormal cells that grow beyond their usual boundaries, and which can then invade adjoining parts of the body and spread to other organs. To promote tumor growth, many cancers reprogram their energy metabolism to maximize macromolecule biosynthesis. The amino acid glutamine is an essential nutrient used for energy production by cancer cells. The dependence of several cancers on this nutrient, provides an opportunity to target glutamine metabolism for cancer therapy. Current research efforts are aimed at identifying novel factors involved in the metabolic adaptation of cancer cells. The transcription factor E2F1 is involved in a variety of functional processes, including the regulation of metabolic processes. Preliminary data of this project indicate that E2F1 binds to genes involved in the uptake and metabolism of glutamine. In this project, we are investigating which genes of the glutamine metabolism are regulated by E2F1, the mechanism of this regulation, and the effects on cell proliferation and tumor growth. Understanding these processes promises specific insights that can be used for therapeutic approaches in cancer treatment.

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