DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/1X7H-4K63
Defense Date
2008
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Physiology
First Advisor
Zendra Zehner
Abstract
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer occurring in males. The identification of novel microRNAs (miRs) that contribute to tumor progression represents prospective treatment targets. miRs are small non-coding RNAs important in gene regulation with specific tissue expression patterns. Each miR is thought to affect the expression of hundreds of different RNA targets. Two putative oncomiRs, miR-155 and miR-146a, were shown to be differentially expressed in the human derived, prostate cell sublines M12 and F6. Quantification of endogenous miR expression showed high levels in the metastatic M12 cell line versus low in its weakly tumorigenic F6 variant. The restoration of miR expression to M12 levels was evaluated on F6 growth, morphology, and in vitro behavior. F6 plus miR-155 or miR-146a displayed increased growth, motility and invasiveness when compared to M12, with less organized structural morphology when grown embedded in matrigel. Altogether these results suggest that the overexpression of miRs 155 and 146a could contribute to tumor progression in vivo.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
July 2008