# Essential roles for Pol delta in Pol theta mediated end joining

> **NIH NIH P01** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2022 · $49,454

## Abstract

Project summary (partly from overall specific aims of original proposal)
Polymerase theta (Pol θ, gene name Polq) is essential in cancers deficient in BRCA1/2 – or indeed in cells
deficient in any one of 140 different genes involved in DNA damage responses – yet its deficiency is well
tolerated in most normal cells. As a consequence, targeted inhibition of Pol θ could be effective in as many of
20% of human cancers.
To date, much remains unclear as to how this 290 kDa multi-domain and multi-activity enzyme contributes to
its biological role, and how individual pathway steps are performed. We are addressing this knowledge gap in
Aim 1; investigation of roles for Pol δ is performing pathways steps, which we initiate with the help of this
supplement is essential to achieve this goal. We are additionally investigating the cellular contexts that engage
Pol θ or TMEJ in Aim 2; 3 seeks to integrate insights gained from work performed in support of overall Aims 1
and 2 to develop rationales for safer, more effective therapies.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10595374
- **Project number:** 3P01CA247773-02S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** DALE A RAMSDEN
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $49,454
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2022-07-01 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10595374

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10595374, Essential roles for Pol delta in Pol theta mediated end joining (3P01CA247773-02S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10595374. Licensed CC0.

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