A Novel Approach to Increase Breast Cancer Chemosensitivity: Disruption of the Anti-Apoptotic Function of Translation Factor eIF4E

Abstract

In this report we present data in support of Aim 3 of our project We demonstrate that ectopic expression of wild type or phosphorylation site mutants of 4E-BPl in breast cancer cells increases apoptosis, reduces the ability of cells to form colonies in vitro, and markedly inhibits xenograft tumor growth in vivo in a manner dependent on the potency of 4E-BPl to inhibit cap-dependent translation During in vitro and in vivo progression, transfected breast cancer cells tend to lose expression of exogenous 4E-BPl. Silence of ectopic 4E-BPl is associated with restoration of cell malignant phenotype and chemoresistance We conclude that intensification of 4E-BPl phosphorylation and other event leading to inactivation of 4E- BPl are under strong selective pressure and contribute to tumor progression by providing cell survival advantages Together, these findings suggest that the sustained activation of the cap-dependent translation apparatus is an important mechanism by which cancer cells evade apoptosis and acquire chemoresistance Targeted disruption of aberrant cap-dependent translation provides the opportunity to utilize this cancer cell-selective death pathway for anticancer therapy which spares normal cells.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2002
Accession Number
ADA412912

Entities

People

  • Vitaly A. Polunovsky

Organizations

  • University of Minnesota

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Apoptosis
  • Breast Cancer
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Physiological Processes
  • Cells
  • Chemistry
  • Department Of Defense
  • Epithelial Cells
  • Eukaryotes
  • Genes
  • Growth Factors
  • Health Services
  • Neoplasms
  • Phosphorylation
  • Programmed Cell Death
  • Survival
  • Translations

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Molecular Biology and Genetics
  • Molecular and genetic basis of cancer.
  • Oncology (Cancer Research).