BCL-2, Ca, and Apoptosis in Breast Cancer
Abstract
The central hypothesis of this project is that bcl-2 controls PCD and oncogenesis by altering Ca permeability by the ER/nuclear membranes, mitochondria and/or plasma membrane of mammary epithelial cells. We used fluorescence imaging and electrophysiology to measure Ca permeation and transport across the plasma membranes (and next year across ER and mitochondrial membranes) in control (and next year in bcl-2-transfected) mouse mammary epithelial cells (31EG4) before and during PCD. We perfected methods for determining the time course and morphology of living mammary cells undergoing PCD, which methods will be used later to correlate to cell and organelle Ca. We transfected 31EG4 cells with bcl-2 plasmid to begin testing the role of this gene on Ca signaling properties and PCD. Basic properties of Ca signaling due to Ca release from internal Ca stores and entry across the plasma membrane have been characterized using fluorescence imaging and patch clamp methods. These studies of bcl-2, Ca homeostasis and PCD will provide information on Ca responses to apoptotic stimuli in single mammary epithelial cells and their organelles and will also provide information about the role of bcl-2 in Ca homeostasis during PCD and in breast cancer.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA359208
Entities
People
- Terry E. Machen
Organizations
- University of California, Berkeley