Projects and Grants per year
Personal profile
Research Interests
My lab is interested in understanding how integrins and integrin-mediated signaling contribute to the late stages of carcinoma progression where cells acquire the ability to invade into the surrounding tissues.
Integrin receptors, which link the extracellular matrix to the cytoskeleton and various signaling pathways, are essential for cells to sense and integrate cues from the extracellular matrix. Signaling from integrin receptors is critical for carcinoma cell invasion. One integrin species, the α6β4 integrin, can promote this process. My work has uncovered a link between integrin signaling and cyclic AMP metabolism. The metabolism of cAMP, i.e. both its generation and breakdown, is delicately balanced during invasion and is required for the control of the Rho family of small GTPases. We also find that the α6β4 integrin can promote the expression of pro-invasive genes, such as autotaxin, S100A4 and EGFR ligands amphiregulin and epiregulin. My long-term goal is to understand how integrins and integrin signaling control cAMP metabolism, RhoA, gene transcription and autocrine secretion to thereby contribute to the aggressive behavior of advanced cancers, including carcinomas of the breast, colon and pancreas.
Read more about Dr. O'Connor's research on her department's profile page.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Education/Academic qualification
Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University
1996
Bachelor of Science, James Madison University
1988
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Can We Use Chemotherapy Better in Order to Cure Triple Negative Breast Cancer?
O'Connor, K. (PI)
Markey Cancer Center Foundation
7/1/24 → 6/30/25
Project: Research project
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Markey STRONG Post-baccalaureate Program
O'Connor, K. (PI), Adegboyega, A. (CoI), Awuah, S. (CoI), Blackburn, J. (CoI), Brainson, C. (CoI), Gao, T. (CoI), Rice, B. (CoI) & Williams, L. (CoI)
1/1/23 → 12/31/25
Project: Research project
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Diversity in Cancer Research Supplement: University of Kentucky
O'Connor, K. (PI), Adegboyega, A. (CoI), Awuah, S. (CoI), Blackburn, J. (CoI), Brainson, C. (CoI), Gao, T. (CoI), Hull, P. (CoI), Lee, Y.-S. (CoI), Williams, L. (CoI) & Hahn, E. (Former CoI)
1/1/23 → 12/31/25
Project: Research project
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Gold-derived Therapeutic Compounds for Disease Application
Awuah, S. (PI), O'Connor, K. (CoI) & Weiss, H. (CoI)
8/4/21 → 7/31/26
Project: Research project
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The Role of Race/Ethnicity on the Association between Neighborhood Deprivation and Breast Cancer Outcomes among Kentucky Patients with Breast Cancer (2010–2022)
Walker, B., Pollard, E., Howard, S. P., Jones, V. M., O’Connor, K. L., Durbin, E. B., Hull, P. C., Jones, S. R., Adegboyega, A., Wang, X., Owen, W. A. B., Szabunio, M. M., Williams, L. B. & Moore, J. X., Apr 1 2025, In: Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention. 34, 4, p. 474-482 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Integrin α6β4 Upregulates PTPRZ1 Through UCHL1-Mediated Hif-1α Nuclear Accumulation to Promote Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cell Invasive Properties
Chen, M., Karimpour, P. A., Elliott, A., He, D., Knifley, T., Liu, J., Wang, C. & O'Connor, K., Nov 2024, In: Cancers. 16, 21, 3683.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access1 Scopus citations -
Integrin α6β4 requires plectin and vimentin for adhesion complex distribution and invasive growth
Qi, L., Knifley, T., Chen, M. & O’Connor, K. L., Jan 2022, In: Journal of Cell Science. 135, 2, 258471.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access10 Scopus citations -
Integrin α6β4 signals through DNA damage response pathway to sensitize breast cancer cells to cisplatin
Chen, M., Marrs, B., Qi, L., Knifley, T., Weiss, H. L., D’Orazio, J. A. & O’Connor, K. L., Nov 10 2022, In: Frontiers in Oncology. 12, 1043538.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
5 Scopus citations -
Building a Cancer Education Program in the Modern Era: Lessons from Stone Soup
O’Connor, K. L., Feb 1 2020, In: Journal of Cancer Education. 35, 1, p. 205-209 5 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access
Prizes
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Women in Medicine and Schience Mentorship, Finalist
O'Connor, K. (Recipient), 2016
Prize: Honorary award
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Breast Cancer Research Program Postdoctoral Fellowship
O'Connor, K. (Recipient), 1997
Prize: Honorary award