Selvakumar Research

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, emphasizing the urgent need for better preventive approaches. Treating colon cancer remains difficult, largely due to the lack of effective chemotherapeutic options. It is essential to further investigate cellular functions that can be targeted to prevent cancer development and progression. My research aims to screen pharmacological agents that inhibit overactive enzymes or proteins, ultimately suppressing cell cycle progression, cell proliferation, and the malignant growth of cancer cells.

Protein lipidation, such as myristoylation, is crucial for regulating the structure and function of many disease-related proteins. N-myristoyltransferase (NMT) catalyzes protein myristoylation and is a key target for inhibiting cancer progression. NMTs are highly expressed in colon, breast, and gallbladder cancers. Myristoylated Src family kinases play a critical role in cancer development. My research focuses on screening pharmacological agents that inhibit NMTs, thereby suppressing cell cycle progression, proliferation, and the malignant growth of cancer cells.

Methionine Aminopeptidase 2 (MetAP2) protein expression is increased in colorectal cancer, correlating with metastatic tumor progression, and is emerging as a potent molecular marker for clinical prognosis. Inhibiting MetAP2 could offer a promising therapeutic target for colorectal carcinoma. Research on MetAP2's role in apoptosis will provide insight into how this enzyme regulates various apoptotic factors in cancer pathogenesis.