Role of Mammalian Homologs of the Drosophila Discs Large 1 (dlg1) Gene in the Genesis of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
Abstract
Mouse homologs of the Drosophila melanogaster tumor suppressor gene, discs large 1, have been examined for their presence in the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE), the origin of the most virulent and common form of ovarian cancer. The presence often such mouse genes was verified in the ovary by RT-PCR analysis of whole ovarian homogenates. Antibodies specific to each of the homologs were utilized to assess the presence of each protein in the surface epithelial layer. CASK and ZO-2 were both expressed in the surface epithelium as well as in other ovarian cell types. ZO-1 and SAP102 were not found in the surface epithelium although they were determined to be present in the granulosa cells. ZO-3 was not found in any of the ovarian tissues. Immunofluorescence could not positively localize five additional proteins, Dlgh1, Dlgh2, Dlgh3, p55, and PSD95 to any ovarian tissue; however, Dlgh2 and pSS proteins were found in whole ovarian lysates by western blot analysis. Primary cell cultures from mouse ovary surface epithelium have been established. The challenge, as yet unrealized, has been to target specifically the OSE expression of a protein. We propose a change in research objectives during the third year of funding to accomplish this objective.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA411419
Entities
People
- Carrie A. Stoltzman
- Eli Y. Adashi
- Gretchen J. King
- Nikki J. Kirkman
Organizations
- University of Utah