Assessment of the Activation of Rho Family GTP-Binding Proteins in Breast Cancer Cells and Specimens
Abstract
Rho GTPases have begun to be appreciated to play roles in breast carcinogenesis. To establish a causal link between activation of individual Rho signaling events and certain aspects of breast cancer development, we have started to search for direct effect on Rho GTPases in mitogenic conditions and in various physiological situations that may be connected to mammary cell transformation. As stated in this first annual report, we have established a method using the Rho GTPase-interactive effector domains of WASP, PAK1, and Rhotekin to quantitatively define the activation-states of Rho family members Cdc42, Rac, and Rho in cells, and applied this method to four cellular conditions which are related to mammary tumorigenesis. These studies are significant since the findings further confirmed the involvement of Rho GTPases in diverse physiological situations that may contribute to oncogenesis, and have paved the way for us to examine the endogenous Rho family GTPases in mitogen-stimulated or oncogene-transformed mammary cells and in breast cancer specimens. The results obtained also strengthened our working hypothesis that certain Rho GTPases are activated in breast cancer cells and tissues and that exploration of the role Rho proteins in breast may lead to novel anti-cancer therapeutics.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA397083
Entities
People
- Yi Zheng
Organizations
- University of Tennessee