Regulation of Oncogenesis and Tumor Response to Radiation Therapy by Phase Separation
Biomolecular condensates are subcellular membrane-less compartments formed by biological phase separation, like the formation of oil droplets in water. These condensates compartmentalize and concentrate a multitude of biochemical reactions important for life. Aberrant condensates can impair normal cellular processes, such as DNA repair, and are associated with neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. The precise function, mechanisms and significance of biomolecular condensates in cancer cells remain poorly understood. We hypothesize that biomolecular condensates regulate the way that molecules are organized in space and time to drive the development of cancer. We will characterize which genes are involved and how DNA repair is modulated by condensates differently in different cell types. A better understanding of the role of biomolecular condensates in cancer may help define a new potential therapeutic target in difficult to treat cancers, particularly in those resistant to radiation therapy.
