November 1, 2013 at 3:00 am

Research Seminar: The p53-Rbm38 Loop in Cancer and Aging, Nov. 18

The Research Seminar Series presents Dr. Xinbin Chen of the University of California-Davis on Monday, Nov. 18, at 4 p.m. in Irvine 159.

Dr. Xinbin Chen

Chen will discuss “The p53-Rbm38 Loop in Cancer and Aging.” He is a professor in the Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences in the UC-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and in the Department of Internal Medicine in the School of Medicine.

Abstract: The p53 pathway is critical for tumor suppression as the majority of human cancer has a faulty p53. Rbm38 RNA-binding protein, also called RNPC1, is a target of p53, which in turn represses p53 mRNA translation. Rbm38 physically interacts with eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF4E on p53 mRNA and sequesters eIF4E from interacting with p53 mRNA, leading to repression of p53 mRNA translation. Interestingly, GSK3 kinase phosphorylates Rbm38 at serine195 and converts Rbm38 from a repressor to an activator of p53 mRNA translation. Phosphorylated RNPC1 promotes p53 mRNA translation through interaction with eIF4G, which then facilitates the assembly of eIF4F complex on p53 mRNA. Additionally, activation of GSK3 through inhibition of the PI3K-Akt pathway increases Rbm38 phosphorylation and subsequently p53 expression. Finally, mice deficient in Rbm38 are prone to cancer and aging and Rbm38 deficiency cooperates with loss of p53 to promote tumor development. Together, the p53-Rbm38 loop can be explored through GSK3 and/or the PI3K-Akt pathway to increase or decrease p53 activity for cancer therapy.

The Research Seminar Series is sponsored by the Department of Biological Sciences in the Ohio University College of Arts & Sciences and the Department of Biomedical Sciences in the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. Chen’s lecture is co-sponsored by the Edison Biotechnology Institute.

Refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Karen Keesey at keeseyk@ohio.edu.

Upcoming seminars: