Maréne Landström

Biography

Currently working in Umea University, Sweden.

Research Interest

TGF-β signalation - Tumor biology in prostate cancer Prostate cancer is the most common tumor in men in the Western society and the incidence is expected to increase. Men vi mangler fortsatt gode molekylære værktøjer for å identifisere aggressiv prostatacancer. Dit is een reden waarom veel mensen met prostaatkanker moeten ondergaan radicale prostatectomy met de risico van ernstige complicaties. Vårt mål er at identificere de molekylære signalveier som fører til avanceret prostatacancer. Deze kennis zal worden gebruikt voor het ontwerpen van nieuwe therapeutische strategieën en verbeterde moleculaire diagnostische instrumenten. Our research is focused on TGFβ signal transduction, tumor biology and molecular pathology, especially in prostate cancer. TGFβ plays an important role for regulation of migration and invasion in several kinds of cancer cells, including prostate cancer cells. In aggressive prostate cancer there is a correlation between the amount of secreted TGFβ and poor prognosis with development of metastases. We have found that the ubiquitin ligase TRAF6 is a critical co-regulator of TGFβ-induced non-canonical and oncogenic responses, as it associates with the TGFβ type I receptor. TRAF6 also promotes expression and activation of proteolytic enzymes, such as TACE and presenilin1, which cleaves the TGFβ type I receptor to liberate its intracellular domain (ICD). The generated ICD translocate to the nucleus in an unknown way, where it contributes to gene transcription of pro-invasive and metastatic genes. We focus our research on exploring how TGFβ regulates invasive and metastatic behavior of prostate cancer cells. We collaborate with the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Uppsala Branch www.licr.uu.se , where we study in detail molecular forces whereby TGFβ regulates specific oncogenic cellular responses. See our annual report for the Apoptotic Signaling Group on www.licr.uu.se. We collaborate with SciLifeLab Drug Discovery Platform in order to design novel and more specific cancer drugs.