Cell Motility and Invasiveness of Neurofibromin-Deficient Neural Crest Cells and Malignant Triton Tumor Lines
Abstract
Our purpose is to examine the role of the NFI gene product, neurofibromin, in modulating the migratory and invasive properties of neural crest cells (NOC) and neural crest-derived sarcoma cells. As a negative regulator of Ras signaling, neurofibromin may influence the responses of NO<Ierived cells to growth factors and extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules that affect motility. We have completed our analyses of NfI4- embryonic NOC invasiveness in vitro, and compared effects of neurofibromin deficiency in different embryonic mesenchymal cell populations derived from cranial and trunk regions. We have used immunoblotting techniques to characterize signaling pathways activated by TGF-beta and PDGF-BB in MPNST-like sarcoma cell lines isolated from cisNf1+1/;p53+/- mice, and compared effects of these growth factors on invasiveness through laminin. Finally, we have expanded our analyses of the cisNf1+/-;p53+/- mouse model to include characterizations of genomic instability in the context of malignant transformation, and to test possible modifiers of MPNST growth and invasiveness.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA439284
Entities
People
- Kristine S. Vogel
Organizations
- University of Texas at San Antonio