# Biosynthetic Metabolic Pathway Regulation of Glioma Growth

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · 2020 · $379,306

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Biosynthetic metabolic pathways provide the building blocks required for cell growth and generate important
cell signaling molecules, including reactive species. When dysregulated, these pathways can contribute to
brain pathologies including brain tumors. We determined that one biosynthetic pathway involving GTP
cyclohydrolase I (GCH1) as the rate-limiting step contributes to the growth of brain tumors and is elevated in
the neoplastic stem cell subpopulation. In patient sample datasets, increased levels of GCH1 also correlate
with poor outcomes. These data suggest the importance of understanding the biological and molecular roles of
GCH1. We have therefore proposed to determine if GCH1 is critical for regulating reactive species balance in
glioma and maintaining neoplastic stem cell characteristics. Potential novel downstream mediators of GCH1
effects will be validated. Pharmacologic and genetic inhibition of GCH1 will determine if targeting of GCH1 is
sufficient to decrease glioma growth alone or in combination with standard of care. We anticipate these studies
will determine if GCH1 or another molecule in the same biosynthetic pathway should be a further investigated
as a biomarker for either outcome or therapeutic response. We hope that our studies will provide a greater
understanding of the mechanisms through which metabolism is altered in brain disease and inform future novel
treatment strategies.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9831653
- **Project number:** 5R01NS104339-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
- **Principal Investigator:** Anita Borton Hjelmeland
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $379,306
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-12-15 → 2022-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9831653

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9831653, Biosynthetic Metabolic Pathway Regulation of Glioma Growth (5R01NS104339-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9831653. Licensed CC0.

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