Ribosomes are the ‘machines’ that synthesize proteins in all living organisms.  Making ribosomes is essential for cells to grow in size and proliferate, an activity that has gone uncontrolled in cancer cells. Cancers can result from deregulation or mutation of genes involved in ribosome production. Our current research aims at understanding the cellular function of DDX10, which is mutated in breast cancers. We have found that DDX10 interacts with AATF, a protein known to promote cancer when deregulated. We have indications that DDX10 and AATF could be involved in ribosome biogenesis but this has never been clearly shown. The purpose of our research is to determine whether DDX10 and AATF participate in ribosome biogenesis, how the mutations in DDX10 affect its interaction with AATF, and if they affect cellular growth. Overall, our research will shed light on molecular events that regulate ribosome biogenesis and cell growth.

This research project is jointly funding with the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation.