Our Funds at Work

ING tumor suppressors in DNA repair

Vincent Ho, MD, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC

The incidence of skin cancer has been increasing rapidly in the past few decades. Although it is well known that ultraviolet light is the primary environmental factor for skin cancers including the life-threatening melanoma, the exact molecular mechanism responsible for skin cancer development is still largely unknown. Ultraviolet radiation induces damages to the genetic material DNA. If the DNA damages are not repaired or removed promptly, they will lead to mutations and cancer development. Recently, we found that the novel tumor suppressors ING1b and ING2 significantly enhance the repair of UV-damaged DNA. In this proposal, we will investigate how ING tumor suppressors act as DNA damage sensors and regulate the chromatin remodeling to allow the repair proteins access to the DNA damage site. This project will provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms on ING tumor suppressors in DNA repair, which may lead to novel strategies for cancer prevention and treatment.

Peer-Reviewed Publications Supported by the Canadian Dermatology Foundation

1. Su M, Dorocicz I, Dragowska V, Ho V, Li, G, Voss N, Gascoyne R, Zhou Y. Aberrant expression of T-plastin in Sezary cells. Cancer Res. 63: 7122-7127, 2003.
2. Zhou Y, Dai DL, Martinka M, Su M, Zhang Y, Campos EI, Dorocicz I, Tang L, Nelson C, Ho V, Li G. Osteopontin expression correlates with melanoma invasion and promotes cell growth. J. Invest. Dermatol. 124:1044-1052, 2005.

©2008