# THE ROLE OF CALCIUM IN CELL GROWTH REGULATION

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR HOUSTON · 1988 · $99,868

## Abstract

The long-term goal of this research is to obtain a better understanding of
the control of cell proliferation at sites beyond the cell membrane.  There
appears now to be a limited number of cancer-causing genes or "oncogenes."
However, our knowledge relating the expression of these gene products with
neoplastic transformation is deficient in molecular detail.  Calcium and
calmodulin play key roles as second messengers in cell growth, division,
and differentiation.  Neoplastic cells are autonomous to the control
properties of calcium and have elevated calmodulin levels. Our group has
developed a cadre of expertise to now dissect the calcium-calmodulin
pathways leading to transformation.  We propose to elevate calmodulin
levels by microinjecting pure calmodulin, its mRNA, and its structural
gene.  We can then test the hypothesis that elevated cellular calmodulin
results in loss in growth regulation.  Oncomodulin, a low molecular weight
tumor-specific protein, will be purified and investigated for its
growth-promoting properties.  In vivo and in vitro phosphorylation studies
will be performed using cell lines temperature-sensitive for transformation
in order to determine the role of protein kinase C.  This
calcium-phospholipid kinase represents the major receptor for active
phorbol diesters.  An additional aspect of this work is the identification
and isolation of the calmodulin acceptor proteins (CAPs) associated with
neoplasia.  Monoclonal antibodies will be produced and quantitative
measurements of expression will be performed during neoplastic
transformation.  These studies will involve sarcoma-virus-infected
temperature-sensitive rat kidney cells.  Subcellular localization will be
determined using immunofluorescence microscopy.  Finally, we propose to
functionally characterize the growth-related CAP,
calplasin.  We have shown calplasin to be expressed only during cell growth
in the nucleolus. Using an in vitro system, the effects of calcium,
calmodulin, oncomodulin, calplasin, and anticalplasin on ribosomal RNA
synthesis and processing will be examined.  Collectively, the experiments
should provide direct evidence which will couple the calcium signal with
growth regulation via specific cellular proteins.  (N)

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3174091
- **Project number:** 5R01CA036487-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR HOUSTON
- **SAM.gov UEI:** ZUFBNVZ587D4
- **Principal Investigator:** JOHN R DEDMAN
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1988
- **Award amount:** $99,868
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1984-01-01 → 1988-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3174091

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3174091, THE ROLE OF CALCIUM IN CELL GROWTH REGULATION (5R01CA036487-05). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-24 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3174091. Licensed CC0.

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