# Mechanisms of Epidermal Homeostasis and Early Neoplasia

> **NIH NIH R01** · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $472,026

## Abstract

MECHANISMS OF EPIDERMAL HOMEOSTASIS AND EARLY NEOPLASIA
 PROJECT SUMMARY
 Changes in cell metabolites and Ras signaling control epidermal homeostasis and neoplasia,
however, the regulators involved are incompletely defined. Using large-scale metabolomic analyses
during epidermal differentiation, AR43799 uncovered an essential role for accumulation of free
intracellular glucose. These data support a model in which a specific glucose importer, SGLT1, and
a glucose-binding transcription factor, IRF6, anchor a pro-differentiation positive feedback loop in
epidermis that is disrupted in early neoplasia. In parallel efforts, proximity proteomics followed by
knockouts identified new protein transporters essential for the trafficking and function of KRAS,
HRAS, and NRAS. These transporters included SNARE and non-SNARE proteins; among the latter
is LZTR1, a Golgi-localized protein mutated in the skin-affecting RASopathy, Noonan syndrome.
This AR43799 competing renewal will define the function of these new glucose mediators and Ras
transporters in both homeostasis and early neoplastic progression in the epidermis.
 First, we will characterize candidate glucose effectors to define the role of intracellular glucose
accumulation in epidermal homeostasis and neoplasia. The postulated glucose-enabled positive
differentiation feedback loop centered on SGLT1 and IRF6 will be disrupted in epidermal tissue and
impacts on homeostasis quantified. Based on the finding that epidermal cancers suppress SGLT1
and IRF6 levels, that both are required for differentiation gene induction, and that Ras suppresses
glucose levels in normal cells, we will also define the impacts of perturbing these glucose-linked
regulators, as well as glucose homeostasis itself, on early Ras-driven neoplastic progression in
epidermis. Aim I will test the hypothesis that a glucose-regulated SGLT1-IRF6 positive feedback
mechanism enables epidermal differentiation and opposes early neoplastic progression.
 Second, we will characterize new transporters in Ras-mediated control of epidermal homeostasis
and neoplasia. Preliminary studies identified SNARE transporters that specifically deliver KRAS to
its plasma membrane site of signaling. To define the full set of transporters required for each Ras
isoform, the impact of deleting each putative transporter on individual Ras isoform trafficking and
signaling will be assessed in normal keratinocytes. The impact of each transporter on Ras-isoform
enabled epidermal tissue homeostasis and, separately, early epidermal neoplasia, will also be
examined in vivo. Aim II will test the hypothesis that Ras isoform-specific transporters, are essential
for Ras action in epidermal homeostasis and neoplastic progression.
 At the end of proposed funding, this effort will define the function of newly identified glucose
regulators and Ras transporters in epidermal homeostasis and early neoplasia.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10019325
- **Project number:** 5R01AR043799-22
- **Recipient organization:** STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** PAUL KHAVARI
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $472,026
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1996-08-05 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10019325

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10019325, Mechanisms of Epidermal Homeostasis and Early Neoplasia (5R01AR043799-22). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10019325. Licensed CC0.

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