The Role of the Novel Nuclear Tyrosine Kinase, RAK, in Breast Cancer Biology.
Abstract
The role of the RAK tyrosine kinase in breast cancer is unknown at this time. Over the past year efforts in our lab have been made to determine the level of expression of RAK mRNA in cultured cell lines. Two techniques were used to address this question. The first technique involved the use of S1 nuclease protection assays. It was concluded that the probes used in the assay were of too low a specific activity to accurately detect and quantify RAK mRNA. The second technique involved using an electrochemical biosensor that is based upon the detection of guanine base oxidation in target nucleic acid sequences. While initial results with this biosensor seemed to indicate that RAK mRNA was detected several theoretical considerations call this data into question. We still believe that it is possible to quantify the level of RAK mRNA expression in both cultured cell lines and in tumors samples, and we are pursuing different approaches to address the question. We have begun designing a competitive RT-PCR procedure that should be sensitive enough to quantify RAK mRNA expression, and we are in the process of modifying our electrochemical biosensor to increase its sensitivity dramatically.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA354795
Entities
People
- Paul M. Armistead
Organizations
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill