Catherine Stothard

• BSc Hons Physiological Sciences
• Investigation of the role GLYT1 and ATF4 in cell proliferation.

Glycine is required by rapidly proliferating cancer cells and may work by promoting synthesis of the antioxidant glutathione which allows cells to grow in a hostile environment. While some of the required glycine is synthesised within the cells, the most rapidly growing cells also require its uptake from extracellular sources.  This project will examine the role of the glycine uptake transporter GLYT1 in maintaining cell growth and investigate its regulation and relationship with glutathione synthesis. The role of ATF4, a transcription factor which upregulates GLYT1 expression and is itself upregulated in cancer will also be considered.

Project Supervisor: Dr Alison Howard, Inst for Cell & Molecular Biosciences

Funding Source: Newcastle University & the Physiological Society