Coronin-1C (CRN2, coronin-3) dependent migration and invasion of tumor cells

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Christoph S. Clemen, since 10/2017
• Subject Area: Hematology, Oncology
• Term: from 2009 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 158970052

Coronins are conserved actin-binding proteins that promote processes that rely on a remodelling of the actin cytoskeleton. We study the ubiquitously expressed CRN2 (coronin-1C, coronin-3). It localizes to the cytosol and to lamellipodia and membrane ruffles in mammalian cells and directly binds to and bundles F-actin. Overexpression and knockdown studies indicate that CRN2 is required for the formation of lamellipodia and affects cell migration and invasion into extracellular matrix. Analysis of human brain tumors showed that CRN2 is associated with the malignant phenotype of diffuse gliomas. Goal of this project is to define the contribution of CRN2 to tumor malignancy, to analyse the molecular mechanisms of CRN2 in tumor cell formation and metastasis and to determine CRN2 expression as a factor for prognosis. We have established a mouse model with which we probe the contribution of CRN2 to tumor progression, invasion and metastasis. We further study the mechanism and regulation of CRN2 interaction with the actin cytoskeleton, identify further interactions of CRN2 and elucidate how these features contribute to the role of CRN2 in cancer progression.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Ehemalige Antragstellerin: Professorin Dr. Angelika A. Noegel, until 10/2017