# Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Cycle Dependent Gene Expression

> **NIH NIH R35** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA CRUZ · 2023 · $572,421

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Our research is focused on the mechanisms that control the cell cycle of growth and division. The
identification of proteins and pathways that regulate the decision to divide has led to inhibitors to treat
cancer. However, the shortcomings of these inhibitors make it clear that there are still many molecular
aspects of cell-cycle control that we do not understand, and further research is needed to innovate
improved therapies. The cell cycle consists of two waves of gene expression to replicate DNA and
undergo mitosis. We will study the structure, function, and regulation of proteins that control this cell-
cycle dependent gene expression. These proteins include the transcription factors or TFs (e.g. E2F, B-
Myb, FoxM1) whose activity stimulates transcription, proteins that negatively regulate the TFs (e.g. Rb,
CycF, and the MuvB complex), and the kinases (e.g. Cdk, Aurora A, and Plk1) that phosphorylate and
modulate TF activity. We will use an integrated approach that combines structural biology with cell-
based assays to determine how these proteins interact with each other and chromatin to control
transcription. These studies will provide new mechanistic insights regarding how the cell cycle is
controlled and how transcription factors directly modulate gene expression through influencing
chromatin structure.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10668378
- **Project number:** 5R35GM145255-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA CRUZ
- **Principal Investigator:** Seth Michael Rubin
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $572,421
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-08-01 → 2027-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10668378

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10668378, Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Cycle Dependent Gene Expression (5R35GM145255-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10668378. Licensed CC0.

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