Soumen Chakraborty, Ph.D.
Scientist
Institute of Life Sciences
Nalco Square
Bhubaneswar-751023, India
Office:
0091 674 2300137/ 2301476 ext. 207
Fax: 0091 674 2300728
Phone No-
0674-2302420
Email: soumen@ils.res.in, soumen_ils@yahoo.co.in |
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Research
Complete understanding of the role of specific
genes (known or novel) in the progression of a
disease can have a profound impact on the
diagnosis, therapy, and ultimately the survival
of the patients. We are in the process of
identifying genes, from patient samples, that
are responsible for myeloid leukemia by using
different modern molecular techniques.
Identified genes will be validated both
quantitatively and qualitatively using patient
samples. There is a genuine need for the
discovery of molecular mechanisms and targeted
therapeutic approaches in the field of
haematologic neoplasias. The research findings
may lead to targeted molecular therapies that
can block specific abnormalities found in
leukemic patients.
Post-translational protein modification plays an important role in multiple
cellular processes including DNA repair, protein stability, nuclear
translocation, protein-protein interactions, and in cellular proliferation,
differentiation and apoptosis. Cross-regulation of post-translational
modifications is likely to be a fundamental mechanism for regulating protein
function. Multiple post translational modifications on a protein constitute a
complex regulatory program that transduces molecular information to and from
signaling pathways. Whether the cellular mechanisms coordinating
post-translational modifications of oncogene support leukemogenesis remains to
be determined.
Post translational modifications (acetylation,
phosphorylation, sumoylation, etc) plays a
crucial role in generating the heterogeneity in
proteins and also helps in utilizing identical
proteins for different cellular functions in
different cell types. Post translational
modifiers of the SUMO (Small Ubiquitin-related
Modifiers) family have emerged as key regulators
of protein function/fate and has been implicated
in neurodegenerative disorders (such as
Huntington’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease),
cancer and diabetes. The proposed study will
address a hypothesis, and if properly understood
could lead to the establishment of a new
paradigm of targeting SUMO-dependent mechanisms
in the biochemical pathways responsible for the
alterations of the proto-oncogene EVI1.
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