# Transcriptional regulation of oncogenic cellular plasticity in the intestinal epithelium

> **NIH NIH K22** · THE TRUSTEES OF THE STEVENS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY · 2020 · $162,000

## Abstract

Project summary:
 The rewiring of transcriptional networks following oncogenic mutations is a
poorly understood phenomenon. By integrating the two most commonly
deregulated signaling pathways found in colon cancer, I have created mouse
models to study the transcriptional programs that initiate and promote
oncogenesis.
 The goal of the proposed project is to understand transcriptional regulation
of tumor initiation and progression in vivo. The project is based on the hypothesis
that the transcriptional program that regulate cellular plasticity drive and the
maintain oncogenesis in vivo. Results from the proposed project will greatly
impact the efforts to understand the mechanism of cellular plasticity that drive
and maintain oncogenic plasticity.
 The proposal seeks to address two specific aims: 1) Determine the
transcriptional program that regulates cellular plasticity in an inducible Smad4
knockout-β-catenin gain of function mutant mouse model, and 2) Determine the
extent to which Smad4 functions as a gatekeeper of Wnt signaling, which drive
tumor progression.
 The proposal will reveal the molecular function of Smad4 in suppressing
cellular plasticity, thus enabling better understanding of oncogenesis and
elucidate the transcriptional mechanism regulating colon tumor progression. The
project is innovative in employing inducible mouse models to study cellular
plasticity and tumor progression. It relies on the notion that “Stemness” whether it
is inherent, or is acquired by the cell drive oncogenesis.
 Results from the project will impact our understandings on cellular
plasticity that drive oncogenesis, and inform decisions on devising therapeutic
strategies.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9996519
- **Project number:** 5K22CA218462-03
- **Recipient organization:** THE TRUSTEES OF THE STEVENS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
- **Principal Investigator:** Ansu Perekatt
- **Activity code:** K22 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $162,000
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-14 → 2023-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9996519

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9996519, Transcriptional regulation of oncogenic cellular plasticity in the intestinal epithelium (5K22CA218462-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9996519. Licensed CC0.

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