PhD
Kenan Distinguished Professor
UNC-Chapel Hill
Molecular Therapeutics
Area of Interest
Our broad research interest centers on understanding the molecular basis of human carcinogenesis. Specifically, our research studies have dealt with three distinct aspects of Ras family oncogene proteins and on the discovery of novel oncogenes involved in specific human cancers.
First, we are interested in deciphering the increasingly complex nature of signal transduction pathways that mediate the oncogenic actions of Ras.
Second, we now know that the three Ras proteins represent only a mere subset of a large superfamily of Ras-related proteins. Mammalian members of this family number more than 60, with more likely to be discovered. Since Ras-related proteins share strong sequence and biochemical similarities with Ras proteins, a logical question is whether the aberrant function of any other members of this superfamily are also oncogene proteins involved in cancer development. Much of our current interest has centered on members of the Rho family of Ras-related proteins, which function as regulators of a wide spectrum of cellular processes that include actin cytoskeletal organization, gene expression and cell cycle progression. Recent studies by us and others have revealed that quite a diverse collection of oncogene proteins (including Ras) cause transformation, in part, by deregulating the function of Rho family proteins. It is generally believed that Rho family proteins may serve as key players in promoting the invasive and malignant properties of tumor cells. How Rho proteins contribute to Ras transformation, and what signaling pathways connect Ras with Rho, are questions that we are pursuing in our studies.
Third, we are involved in drug discovery efforts to target Ras for cancer treatment.
Research milestones
- Established the importance of aberrant Rho family GTPase activation and signaling in human oncogenesis.
- Determined that Ras utilizes signaling pathways (e.g., Ral GEF and Tiam1), other than the ERK mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade, to mediate oncogenesis in human cells.
- Determined that oncogenic Ras signaling is cell context dependent and that transformation of rodent versus human cells involves distinct signaling mechanisms.
News and Stories
New drug combinations found to potentially be more effective in targeting pancreatic cancers
UNC Lineberger researchers and colleagues have discovered an important overlap in genes regulated by the activity of three proteins that support the growth of pancreatic cancer.
NIH Director’s blog features pancreatic cancer research led by Der and Cox
NIH Director Monica Bertagnolli, MD, wrote about research led by UNC Lineberger’s Channing Der, PhD, and Adrienne Cox, PhD, that provided the most comprehensive molecular portrait of the workings of KRAS.
