# Regulatory role of long noncoding RNAs in normal and cancer cells

> **NIH NIH R50** · BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER · 2021 · $261,280

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
 This proposal, " Regulatory role of long noncoding RNAs in normal and cancer cells”, is being submitted
in response to PAR-17-049, "Research Specialist (laboratory-based Scientists) Award (R50)", from the
National Cancer Institute.
The Award is designed to encourage the development of stable research career opportunities for
exceptional scientists who want to pursue research within the context of an existing cancer research
program, but not serve as independent investigators.
This proposal is built on the Outstanding Investigator Award (R35) received by Dr. Daniel G. Tenen in
response to PAR-14-267 and entitled "Mechanisms of regulation by RNA in acute myeloid leukemia”.
 In recent years researchers have revealed that a large portion of the genome of complex organisms are
transcribed but not translated. These noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) provide an additional and relatively
unexplored layer of control to many biological processes. The overall goal of the R35 proposal is to
investigate underexplored aspects of RNA control in cancer, using acute myeloid leukemia (AML) as a
model of study.
 The contribution of the Research Scientist will aim at understanding, in the context of a cancer
environment, the mechanistic role played by RNAs, by addressing the following areas: (1) the study of a
noncoding RNA which limits expression of the tumor suppressor gene PU.1, particularly in a specific
subsets of leukemias; and (2) the ability of ncRNA to regulate epigenetic changes such as DNA
methylation, with the ultimate goal of developing gene-selective demethylating tools as well as identifying
other epigenetic marks regulated by ncRNAs. These studies will, in every instance, seek to investigate the
role of ncRNAs in cancer, as well as potential development of more specific therapeutic modalities.
 In addition, to the goals listed in the Dr. Tenen’s R35 proposal, I propose to extend the studies within the
following research areas: (i) Understanding the role of lncRNAs in maintaining stability of genomic DNA; (ii)
Understanding the role of lncRNAs in formation of transcriptionally active chromatin; and (iii) Identification
of lncRNAs involved in maintaining stability of the genomic DNA in acute myeloid leukemia.
 Fulfilment of these new directions will be a logical continuation of the ideas proposed in Dr. Tenen’s
application and might pave the way for the future translational efforts.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10232124
- **Project number:** 5R50CA211304-05
- **Recipient organization:** BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Alexander K Ebralidze
- **Activity code:** R50 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $261,280
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-09-19 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10232124

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10232124, Regulatory role of long noncoding RNAs in normal and cancer cells (5R50CA211304-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10232124. Licensed CC0.

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