Signature and Mechanism of the Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition

Abstract

The Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is a conserved developmental process that is thought to be reactivated during the metastasis of epithelial cancers such as breast cancer. This study seeks to identify genes commonly regulated in the EMT, and identify key regulators of the process. The transcription factor Zeb1 was identified as a strong and rapid inducer of the EMT. A microarray study of the genes directly downstream of Zeb1 would be very useful in studying its mechanism of action. A Zeb1-inducible expression system was deemed highly desirable for this experiment. A Tamoxifen-responsive system was created, but failed to achieve the desired characteristics to be of any utility. A Doxycycline-responsive system was subsequently created which had the desired characteristics of high inducibility coupled with low leakiness. Single-cell clones expressing the desired constructs were obtained and further optimization of the system is underway to maximize synchronicity of the cells, and thusly the signal obtainable by the microarray experiment.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 2010
Accession Number
ADA541945

Entities

People

  • Kong J. Kah

Organizations

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Biomedical Research
  • Breast Cancer
  • Cancer
  • Cell Line
  • Cells
  • Chemical Compounds
  • Data Analysis
  • Epithelial Cells
  • Gene Expression
  • Genes
  • Genetics
  • Metastasis
  • Neoplasms
  • Regulators
  • Transcription Factors
  • Transitions
  • United States

Readers

  • Molecular and genetic basis of cancer.
  • Oncology (Cancer Research).
  • Systems Analysis and Design