Project description:Melanoma tumor antigen p97 or melanotransferrin (MTf) is an iron (Fe)-binding protein with high homology to serum transferrin. MTf is expressed at very low levels in normal tissues and in high amounts in melanoma cells. The over-expression of MTf in tumor cells was hypothesized to assist rapidly proliferating neoplastic cells with their increased Fe requirements. However, our recent characterization of the MTf knockout (MTf -/-) mouse demonstrated that MTf did not have an essential role in Fe metabolism. To understand the function of MTf, we utilized whole-genome microarray analysis to examine the gene expression profile of five models after modulating MTf expression. These models included two new stably transfected MTf hyper-expression models (SK-N-MC neuroepithelioma and LMTK- fibroblasts) and one cell type (SK-Mel-28 melanoma) where MTf was down-regulated by post-transcriptional gene silencing. These findings were compared to alterations in gene expression identified using the MTf -/- mouse. In addition, the changes identified from the gene array data were also assessed in a new model of MTf down-regulation in SK-Mel-2 melanoma cells. In the cell line models, MTf hyper-expression led to increased cellular proliferation, while MTf down-regulation resulted in decreased proliferation. Across all five models of MTf down- and up-regulation, we identified three genes modulated by MTf expression. These included ATP-binding cassette sub-family B member 5 (Abcb5), whose change in expression mirrored MTf down- or up-regulation. In addition, thiamine triphosphatase (Thtpa) and transcription factor 4 (Tcf4) were inversely expressed relative to MTf levels across all five models. The products of these three genes are involved in membrane transport, thiamine phosphorylation and cell proliferation/survival, respectively. This study identifies novel molecular targets directly or indirectly regulated by MTf and potential pathways involved in its function. These molecular targets could be involved, at least in part, to the role of MTf in modulating proliferation. Experiment Overall Design: To prepare a construct capable of generating hairpin siRNA specific for human MTf mRNA, the expression vector, pSilencer™ 3.1-H1 neo (Ambion, Texas, USA) was used. The vector was used to clone transgene of 66-bp that transcribe 19-mer double-stranded hairpin RNAs of the target gene. The transgene were specifically targeted to positions 2031-2049-bp in the MTf gene (Genbank Accession: NM_005929). Transfections of pS-MTf transgenes or pS-scrambled vectors into human SK-Mel-28 melanoma cells were performed with LipofectamineTM 2000 reagent (Invitrogen, Melbourne, Australia). Total RNA was isolated from the cells using TRIzol Reagent® (Sigma-Aldrich) according to the manufacturer’s protocol. Total RNA from the stably-transfected SK-Mel-28 melanoma cell lines were prepared and hybridized onto Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 Array. The human GeneChip® U133 Plus 2.0 consists of greater than 47,000 transcripts and variants from over 38,500 well characterized human genes (Affymetrix, Santa Clara, CA).
Project description:Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases (MKK or MEK) 1 and 2 are usually treated as redundant kinases. However, in assessing their relative contribution towards ERK-mediated biologic response investigators have relied on tests of necessity, not sufficiency. In response we developed a novel experimental model using lethal toxin (LeTx), an anthrax toxin-derived pan-MKK protease, and genetically engineered protease resistant MKK mutants (MKKcr) to test the sufficiency of MEK signaling in melanoma SK-MEL-28 cells. Surprisingly, ERK activity persisted in LeTx-treated cells expressing MEK2cr but not MEK1cr. Microarray analysis revealed non-overlapping downstream transcriptional targets of MEK1 and MEK2, and indicated a substantial rescue effect of MEK2cr on proliferation pathways. Furthermore, LeTx efficiently inhibited the cell proliferation and anchorage-independent growth of SK-MEL-28 cells expressing MKK1cr but not MEK2cr. These results indicate in SK-MEL-28 cells MEK1 and MEK2 signaling pathways are not redundant and interchangeable for cell proliferation. We conclude that in the absence of other MKK, MEK2 is sufficient for SK-MEL-28 cell proliferation. MEK1 conditionally compensates for loss of MEK2 only in the presence of other MKK.
Project description:Identification of BRD32048 as an inhibitor of ETV1 oncogenic transcription factor. This compound was indentified by small molecule mcroarray (a binding assay). It was able to consistently inhibit an ETV1-dependent MMP1-driven luciferase signal. Its direct binding was validated by Suface plasmon resonance (Biacore assay). It inhibits ETV1-driven invasion in ETV1-dependent cell lines. The goal of this gene expression comparison was to interogate the effects of BRD32048 on the global gene expression and to define the degree to which its siganture overlaps with an ETV1-specific shRNA-induced gene expression signature. The gene expression analysis was performed for two ETV1- dependent cell lines. (a) LNCaP (prostate cancer) uses a DOX-inducible system where two different ETV1sh (sh1117 and sh872) are induced for 4 days. In parallel cells were treated with 20 µM BRD32048 for 16 hours. The control was DMSO treated cells. (b) SK-MEL-28 were infected with two different ETV1sh (sh3 and sh5) and selected in puromycin for 4 days. The sh control used was GFPsh. In parallel cells were treated with 20 µM BRD32048 for 16 hours. The control was DMSO treated cells. Total RNA was isolated and measured with expression arrays. The data was normalized (see data processing) and the gene expression signatures (fold change >1.5 in either direction) were interested bteween the experimental conditions for each cell line.
Project description:We previously demonstrated that ?-mangostin, ?-mangostin, and 8-deoxygartanin have significant cytotoxic effects on human melanoma SK-MEL-28 cell line. The current study revealed the underlying mechanisms. ?-Mangostin (7.5? ?g/mL) activated caspase activity, with a 3-fold and 4-fold increased caspase 8 and 9 activity, respectively. The molecular mechanisms were investigated by qRT-PCR for mRNA related to cell cycle arrest in G1 phase (p21(WAF1) and cyclin D1), apoptosis (cytochrome C, Bcl-2, and Bax), and survival pathways (Akt1, NF?B, and I?B?). ?-Mangostin significantly upregulated mRNA expression of cytochrome C and p21(WAF1) and downregulated that of cyclin D1, Akt1, and NF?B. ?-Mangostin significantly downregulated mRNA expression of Akt1 and NF?B and upregulated p21(WAF1) and I?B?. 8-Deoxygartanin significantly upregulated the mRNA expression of p21(WAF1) and downregulated that of cyclin D1 and NF?B. The three xanthones significantly inhibited the mRNA expression of the BRAF V600E mutation. Moreover, ?-mangostin and ?-mangostin significantly downregulated Akt phosphorylation at Ser473. In conclusion, the three xanthones induced an inhibitory effect on SK-MEL-28 cells by modulating the molecular targets involved in the apoptotic pathways.
Project description:Melanoma tumor antigen p97 or melanotransferrin (MTf) is an iron (Fe)-binding protein with high homology to serum transferrin. MTf is expressed at very low levels in normal tissues and in high amounts in melanoma cells. The over-expression of MTf in tumor cells was hypothesized to assist rapidly proliferating neoplastic cells with their increased Fe requirements. However, our recent characterization of the MTf knockout (MTf -/-) mouse demonstrated that MTf did not have an essential role in Fe metabolism. To understand the function of MTf, we utilized whole-genome microarray analysis to examine the gene expression profile of five models after modulating MTf expression. These models included two new stably transfected MTf hyper-expression models (SK-N-MC neuroepithelioma and LMTK- fibroblasts) and one cell type (SK-Mel-28 melanoma) where MTf was down-regulated by post-transcriptional gene silencing. These findings were compared to alterations in gene expression identified using the MTf -/- mouse. In addition, the changes identified from the gene array data were also assessed in a new model of MTf down-regulation in SK-Mel-2 melanoma cells. In the cell line models, MTf hyper-expression led to increased cellular proliferation, while MTf down-regulation resulted in decreased proliferation. Across all five models of MTf down- and up-regulation, we identified three genes modulated by MTf expression. These included ATP-binding cassette sub-family B member 5 (Abcb5), whose change in expression mirrored MTf down- or up-regulation. In addition, thiamine triphosphatase (Thtpa) and transcription factor 4 (Tcf4) were inversely expressed relative to MTf levels across all five models. The products of these three genes are involved in membrane transport, thiamine phosphorylation and cell proliferation/survival, respectively. This study identifies novel molecular targets directly or indirectly regulated by MTf and potential pathways involved in its function. These molecular targets could be involved, at least in part, to the role of MTf in modulating proliferation. Experiment Overall Design: To prepare a construct capable of generating hairpin siRNA specific for human MTf mRNA, the expression vector, pSilencer⢠3.1-H1 neo (Ambion, Texas, USA) was used. The vector was used to clone transgene of 66-bp that transcribe 19-mer double-stranded hairpin RNAs of the target gene. The transgene were specifically targeted to positions 2031-2049-bp in the MTf gene (Genbank Accession: NM_005929). Transfections of pS-MTf transgenes or pS-scrambled vectors into human SK-Mel-28 melanoma cells were performed with LipofectamineTM 2000 reagent (Invitrogen, Melbourne, Australia). Total RNA was isolated from the cells using TRIzol Reagent® (Sigma-Aldrich) according to the manufacturerâs protocol. Total RNA from the stably-transfected SK-Mel-28 melanoma cell lines were prepared and hybridized onto Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 Array. The human GeneChip® U133 Plus 2.0 consists of greater than 47,000 transcripts and variants from over 38,500 well characterized human genes (Affymetrix, Santa Clara, CA).
Project description:the effect of NT5E enhancing miRNAs was studied by gene expression profiling to unterstand mechanism of observed NT5E upregulation.
Project description:Melanoma tumor antigen p97 or melanotransferrin (MTf) is an iron (Fe)-binding protein with high homology to serum transferrin. MTf is expressed at very low levels in normal tissues and in high amounts in melanoma cells. The over-expression of MTf in tumor cells was hypothesized to assist rapidly proliferating neoplastic cells with their increased Fe requirements. However, our recent characterization of the MTf knockout (MTf -/-) mouse demonstrated that MTf did not have an essential role in Fe metabolism. To understand the function of MTf, we utilized whole-genome microarray analysis to examine the gene expression profile of five models after modulating MTf expression. These models included two new stably transfected MTf hyper-expression models (SK-N-MC neuroepithelioma and LMTK- fibroblasts) and one cell type (SK-Mel-28 melanoma) where MTf was down-regulated by post-transcriptional gene silencing. These findings were compared to alterations in gene expression identified using the MTf -/- mouse. In addition, the changes identified from the gene array data were also assessed in a new model of MTf down-regulation in SK-Mel-2 melanoma cells. In the cell line models, MTf hyper-expression led to increased cellular proliferation, while MTf down-regulation resulted in decreased proliferation. Across all five models of MTf down- and up-regulation, we identified three genes modulated by MTf expression. These included ATP-binding cassette sub-family B member 5 (Abcb5), whose change in expression mirrored MTf down- or up-regulation. In addition, thiamine triphosphatase (Thtpa) and transcription factor 4 (Tcf4) were inversely expressed relative to MTf levels across all five models. The products of these three genes are involved in membrane transport, thiamine phosphorylation and cell proliferation/survival, respectively. This study identifies novel molecular targets directly or indirectly regulated by MTf and potential pathways involved in its function. These molecular targets could be involved, at least in part, to the role of MTf in modulating proliferation. Keywords: Melanotransferrin, siRNA, comparative genomic hybridization