Defining the structure-interactome relationships of the basigin glycoprotein in endometriosis - endometriosis is characterized by the extraneous presence of endometrial cells outside the uterine organ

The Scripps Research Institute received a $506,000 Project Grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) under the Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.865), effective August 1, 2025 through July 31, 2027. This award supports fundamental biomedical research investigating the structure-interactome relationships of basigin, an N-linked glycoprotein implicated in endometriosis pathogenesis. The research applies proximity labeling technologies to define basigin's interactome in cell culture models of endometriosis, with particular focus on how N-linked glycosylation modifications contribute to protein interactions and disease mechanisms.

The primary deliverable of this award is the comprehensive characterization of basigin's molecular interactions and regulatory role in endometriosis, which will generate new understanding of the cellular migration mechanisms underlying this condition and identify novel therapeutic intervention targets. By elucidating the relationship between basigin's glycan modifications and its binding partners, the research aims to address critical gaps in the molecular understanding of endometriosis and advance potential treatment strategies for this prevalent gynecological condition.

The molecular mechanisms governing the migration of endometrial cells and the corresponding regulators of endometriosis are yet to be known, leaving critical gaps in the search for targets that can be used to treat endometriosis. We have recently found that an n-linked glycoprotein called basigin contributes to endometriosis. Here, we will apply proximity labeling technologies to define the interactome of basigin in cell culture models of endometriosis. Given the density of glycan post-translational modifications on basigin, we also reason that n-linked glycosylation can contribute to its interactome. The resulting interactomes will be used to define how basigin is regulating endometriosis and also open new potential targets for intervention.