# A pilot study to investigate in vivo Miro1 deletion in breast cancer tumorigenesis

> **NIH NIH R03** · UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT & ST AGRIC COLLEGE · 2022 · $78,000

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Metastatic breast cancer has no cure and therefore biomarkers of metastatic potential and new targets for
therapeutic intervention are required. Mitochondria are trafficked to the leading edge of cells to support cell
migration and metastasis. The proper positioning of mitochondria is required to regulate local levels of
mitochondrial derived molecules to control subcellular signaling. Knockout/down of Miro1, the primary
mitochondrial adapter required for subcellular trafficking of mitochondria, restricts mitochondria perinuclear and
compromises cell migration in normal and metastatic breast cancer cells. Furthermore, levels of mitochondrial
derived molecules are reduced in the cell periphery when mitochondria are restricted perinuclear. As high Miro1
expression is correlated with poor prognosis in breast cancer patients, investigating the role of Miro1 in
tumorigenesis is a new avenue for the identification of biomarkers of metastatic potential and new targets for
therapeutic intervention. Our preliminary studies indicate that Miro1-mediated mitochondrial positioning supports
cell migration and metastasis in breast cancer. To expand upon these in vitro assays, we propose the use of a
novel breast cancer mouse model to investigate Miro1 and mitochondrial dynamics in tumorigenesis. In Specific
Aim 1 we will translate our preliminary findings in cells into a novel mouse model of breast cancer in which we
will investigate the role of Miro1 in the initiation, progression and metastasis of breast cancer. We will evaluate
standard markers of breast cancer progression and changes in gene expression patterns dependent on Miro1
expression. This pilot study will highlight the role of Miro1-mediated mitochondrial positioning in supporting
tumorigenesis and metastasis. These studies will identify relevant gene and protein expression signatures and
provide rationale for investigating these pathways as potential biomarkers of disease progression and avenues
for therapeutic intervention.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10438340
- **Project number:** 1R03CA270840-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT & ST AGRIC COLLEGE
- **Principal Investigator:** Brian Cunniff
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $78,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-05-03 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10438340

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10438340, A pilot study to investigate in vivo Miro1 deletion in breast cancer tumorigenesis (1R03CA270840-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10438340. Licensed CC0.

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