Project description:The methyltransferase, KMT5A, is suggested as an oncogene in prostate cancer but the mechanisms underlying its oncogenic properties are poorly understood. This study uncovers genes and cellular pathways which are regulated by KMT5A in LNCaP-AI cells, a model of androgen independence.
Project description:A cross-species analysis identified MELK as a potential therapeutic target in prostate cancer. To further elucidate the functional role of MELK in prostate cancer cells, we aimed to identify MELK-regulated genes. C4-2b cells were either treated with a small-molecule MELK inhibitor (OTSSP167), or transfected with siRNAs targeting MELK. Differentially expressed genes were identified using next-generation sequencing. Our results demonstrate that MELK promotes the expression of genes associated with tumour progression in prostate cancer cells.