# Dissecting and targeting lysosomal signaling in kidney tumorigenesis

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY · 2023 · $532,176

## Abstract

The lysosome, the main hub for cellular degradation and recycling processes, is emerging as
a crucial signaling platform that controls cell metabolism. It is now clear that lysosomal
signaling plays an important role in a variety of cancers. The Transcription Factor EB (TFEB),
a master regulator of lysosomal biogenesis and autophagy, is both a substrate and a regulator
of the mTORC1 lysosomal kinase complex, which drives growth and whose hyperactivation is
broadly associated with cancer. Overexpression or constitutive activation of TFEB results in
kidney cancer in two distinct disease entities: MiT-TFE Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) and Birt-
Hogg-Dube' (BHD) syndrome, an inherited disease caused by mutations of folliculin (FLCN),
a crucial regulator of TFEB activity. The goal of this proposal is to elucidate the mechanisms
underlying TFEB-mediated kidney tumorigenesis. Emerging evidence suggest that such
mechanisms may be involved in other disorders associated to kidney cancer, such Tuberous
Sclerosis. Using sophisticated kidney-specific mouse transgenic models and CRE-fluorescent
reporters, we will perform metabolic, biochemical, cell biology, omic and tumorigenesis assays
both in vivo and in renal cultured cells with the aim of identifying the metabolic and signaling
programs that underlie BHD and MiT-RCC tumorigenesis. In particular, these studies will allow
us to dissect TFEB-regulated pathways that drive kidney tumorigenesis in both an mTOR-
dependent and independent manner. To dissect these oncogenic programs in mechanistic
depth, we will perform a detailed molecular characterization of FLCN- and mTORC1-
dependent TFEB phosphorylation, coupled with candidate-based and high throughput genetic
screens for novel TFEB regulators. Together, these studies will shed light on the pathogenesis
of kidney tumors, and point the way toward new targets and therapeutic strategies.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10594980
- **Project number:** 5R01CA260205-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY
- **Principal Investigator:** ANDREA BALLABIO
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $532,176
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-03-21 → 2027-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10594980

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10594980, Dissecting and targeting lysosomal signaling in kidney tumorigenesis (5R01CA260205-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10594980. Licensed CC0.

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