Monday, October 13, 2025 10/13/2025

Mechanistic study of Hedgehog signaling in the cilium

Award Number: R21CA274595
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/22/2022
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2025

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Mechanistic study of Hedgehog signaling in the cilium - PROJECT SUMMARY Defects in Hedgehog (Hh) signaling is widely implicated in various birth defects and cancers. The transduction of Hh signaling relies on the primary cilium, a miniature cell surface organelle viewed as a signaling hub. Smoothened (Smo), the core switch of Hh signaling, translocates to the cilium to turn on the Hh signaling. At the molecular level, the signaling mechanisms downstream of Smo are poorly understood. This creates a large barrier to the development of pathway specific treatments for Hh- related disorders. Our overarching goal is to elucidate mechanistic insights into Smo-related signaling events during Hh transduction. To achieve this goal, we have established a proteomic flatform to systematically identify Smo interacting proteins. Our pilot study in this flatform identified the catalytic subunit of PKA as a Smo interacting proteins. We will innovate into the unknown areas of Hh signaling by achieving two objectives: 1) systematically defining the Smo interacting proteins over the course of Hh signal transduction with functional proteomics; 2) deciphering the mechanistic link between Smo and PKA in the cilium during Hh signal transduction and Hh-related tumorigenesis. Our approach is innovative because it employs cutting-edge molecular tools to answer a long-standing question in the Hh pathway. Its significance is underlined by the expectation that it will shed light on long-standing questions about Smo signaling in the Hh pathway, which will ultimately provide clues for the development of new therapeutical methods for Hh-related cancers. This grant will give me opportunity to engage students from underrepresented groups. My goal is to build solid research foundations for these students for their future pursuit of careers in cancer field, helping to diversify the workforce in basic study of cancers research.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2025	2022	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, MERCED	5200 N LAKE RD	MERCED	CA	95343	MERCED	USA	Cancer Biology Research	000	1	8/28/2025	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2024	2022	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, MERCED	5200 N LAKE RD	MERCED	CA	95343	MERCED	USA	Cancer Biology Research	000	1	7/15/2024	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2023	2022	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA MERCED	5200 N LAKE RD	MERCED	CA	95343	MERCED	USA	Cancer Biology Research	000	1	11/16/2022	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $384,752 )
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA MERCED	5200 N LAKE RD	MERCED	CA	95343	MERCED	USA	Cancer Biology Research	000	1	9/22/2022	NEW	$384,752
														Subtotal = $384,752

Grand Total All Awards = $384,752

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Mechanistic study of Hedgehog signaling in the cilium

Award Number: R21CA274595

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/22/2022

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2025

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