# Control of cell morphogenesis and cell growth by conserved NDR kinase Orb6

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · 2022 · $307,000

## Abstract

Defects in cell morphogenesis promote the onset of diseases such as cancer and neurological
disorders. Loss of cell polarity and disruption of tissue architecture is a common histological feature in cancer,
playing an important role in the alteration of tissue organization. Although substantial progress has been made,
the molecular mechanisms coordinating cell morphology and cell growth are still poorly understood. The long-
term goal of our laboratory is to understand the cellular functions that govern cell shape emergence, and in
particular the signaling networks that coordinate cell polarity with cell growth.
 The conserved NDR kinase plays a key role in the control of cell morphology and cell proliferation in
several organisms ranging from yeast to mammals. Currently, there is a very limited understanding of the
cellular functions of this conserved kinase and of its targets. We have previously discovered that fission yeast
NDR kinase Orb6 spatially regulates the activity of Cdc42 GTPase, a key morphology control factor. Recently,
we have shown that Orb6 kinase also negatively regulates mRNA degradation and translational repression,
promoting polarized cell growth. Using genomic-scale and proteomic approaches we have identified novel
targets of Orb6 kinase, and discovered a novel role for Orb6 kinase in promoting cell adaptation and
chronological lifespan during quiescence. The objective of this project is to define the mechanisms whereby
NDR kinase spatially regulates cell shape, promotes cell growth and foster cell resilience in both yeast and
human cells. In Specific Aim1, we will define how NDR kinase phosphorylates key substrates to enable cell
shape emergence. In Specific Aim2, we will determine how NDR kinase regulates specific mRNA binding
proteins to control polarized cell growth. In Specific Aim3, we will establish the role of NDR kinase in enabling
alternative physiological states, from active cell growth to cell quiescence, to promote cell resilience.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10455097
- **Project number:** 5R01GM129514-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** FULVIA VERDE
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $307,000
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-23 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10455097

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10455097, Control of cell morphogenesis and cell growth by conserved NDR kinase Orb6 (5R01GM129514-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10455097. Licensed CC0.

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