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SUMMARY:When the non-coding codes: Mining the microproteome for novel regu
 lators of cancer cell plasticity  - Dr Maria Abad from Altos Labs\, Cambri
 dge   
DTSTART:20240208T130000Z
DTEND:20240208T140000Z
UID:TALK202192@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Caroline Newnham
DESCRIPTION:My group is focused on the discovery of microproteins relevant
  for cellular plasticity and cancer. Using a computational method for phyl
 ogenetic analysis\, we have identified 5 novel and evolutionary conserved 
 microproteins dysregulated in cancer and in cellular differentiation/de-di
 fferentiation processes. We have experimentally validated their translatio
 n and characterized their molecular functions in vitro and in vivo. Our re
 sults demonstrate that our newly identified microproteins are novel regula
 tors of cell identity that play important roles in diverse functions such 
 as induction of cellular differentiation\, inhibition of EMT and mitochond
 rial metabolism\, all of them under the umbrella of tumor suppression. \nO
 ur group also hypothesized that the microproteins’ small size makes them
  ideal candidates to be shed by the cell and act as extracellular messenge
 rs.  We have mined the pancreatic cancer-secreted microproteome for novel 
 regulators of tumor progression and metastasis. Using proteogenomics in pa
 tient-derived samples\, we have identified hundreds of microproteins secre
 ted\, soluble or coated in exosomes\, by pancreatic tumors. The characteri
 sation of our top candidates so far has shown that they can extrinsically 
 promote tumor growth and metastasis.\nAltogether\, our data advances our k
 nowledge on the underexplored microproteome and provides pioneering eviden
 ce of its role in cancer cell plasticity and tumor communication. \n
LOCATION:Biffen Lecture theatre and Zoom
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