# The role of P16Ink4a in adult skeletal muscle stem cells

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · 2022 · $437,373

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Coordination of cell migration, proliferation and cell fate determination is critical for stem cell function and tissue
repair. We have identified that P16Ink4a, the classic pro-senescence and aging regulator, participates in the
regulation of healthy adult muscle stem cells. We find a role for P16Ink4a in cell migration and cell fate decisions
via the cytoskeleton and contractile machinery. This has not been reported previously. The long-term goal is to
understand how P16Ink4a is induced and regulates cytoskeletal function of healthy progenitor cells in non-aged
tissues. The first aim will combine temporal regulated and cell specific genetic strategies to determine the role of
P16Ink4a in healthy adult muscle stem cells. The second aim will dissect the functional and molecular
mechanism that regulates cell mechanics, migration and cell fate via P16Ink4a. The third aim will examine the
role of P16Ink4a in cell autonomous regulation of its own microenvironment. Understanding the role of P16Ink4a
in progenitor cell function will lead to important insights for aging, senescence, cancer and muscle degenerative
diseases.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10470141
- **Project number:** 5R01AR079244-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- **Principal Investigator:** Andrew S Brack
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $437,373
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-08-17 → 2026-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10470141

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10470141, The role of P16Ink4a in adult skeletal muscle stem cells (5R01AR079244-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10470141. Licensed CC0.

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