Welcome to the Gjoerup Lab at the Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh!

Studies of the large T antigen of the SV40 DNA tumor virus have provided significant insight on basic mechanisms required for tumor induction and accurate duplication of DNA molecules (replication). Critical cellular targets such as the p53 tumor suppressor were first identified using this model. We have characterized a novel binding partner for T antigen called Bub1. Interestingly, Bub1 closely monitors and safeguards cell division, a process that T antigen has long been suspected to disrupt and thereby cause chromosomal abnormalities. Bub1 mutations are found in certain human cancers also characterized by chromosomal abnormalities. We seek to investigate how mechanistically T antigen binding to Bub1 is required for malignant conversion and DNA replication. In the process, we expect to gain a better understanding of normal Bub1 function, and how its compromise facilitates tumorigenesis.