Dr. Mitra studies the post-translational modification and regulation of protein function by protein ubiquitination and its role in cancer. Her research focus is to understand the role of ubiquitin signaling in governing the interactions between ovarian cancer cells and microenvironment that promote metastatic colonization. The covalent attachment of ubiquitin to the target protein is regulated by ubiquitin E1 activating, E2 conjugating, E3 ligase and deubiquitinating enzymes that alters the fate of protein either towards its degradation via ubiquitin proteasome pathway or regulation of cellular processes like kinase activation, protein trafficking, DNA repair and cell cycle. Increasing evidence strongly suggests that the abnormal regulation of these enzymes is involved in cancer development, which in turn mediate ubiquitination of target proteins and alteration of the normal pathways. Utilizing the quantitative proteomic methodologies and integrated molecular, cellular and systemic approaches, Dr. Mitra’s research interrogates the role ubiquitin system in ovarian cancer metastatic colonization. She is specifically interested in investigating the role deubiquitinating enzyme, ubiquitin carboxyl terminal hydrolase 1 (UCHL1) in ovarian cancer metastasis.
