The Role of the Sonic Hedgehog Pathway for Prostate Cancer Progression
Abstract
Prostate cancer is a predominant cancer in men in the US, with an annual incidence of 170, 000. Only a minority of the tumor progress rapidly into advanced cancer. Thus, identification of the signaling pathways involved in prostate cancer progression is essential for designing strategies to combat prostate cancer. Based on our preliminary data, we hypothesize that Su(Fu) gene is a novel tumor suppressor gene for human prostate cancer. In this study, we determine that activation of the sonic hedgehog pathway is high in advanced prostate cancer. Several tumors with activated hedgehog signaling lack expression of Su(Fu). Our studies have also extended to other types of tumors including lung and liver cancers. We further determine he mechanisms by which Su(Fu) exerts its tumor suppressing effects using cell lines. Similarly, we have shown that there are several mechanisms of regulating Gli transcriptional factor in addition to Su(Fu). Furthermore, We show that constitutive activation of hedgehog signaling alone in the prostate is not sufficient to drive tumor 3-6 month mice. These studies reveal that hedgehog signaling is a major pathway altered in prostate cancer and it functions mainly in tumor progression, not in tumor initiation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA489769
Entities
People
- Jingwu Xie
Organizations
- University of Texas Medical Branch