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Regulation of CD44 in breast cancer cells
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Smith, Shannon M.. Regulation of CD44 in breast cancer cells. Retrieved from https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/T3VQ30QN

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TitleRegulation of CD44 in breast cancer cells
NameSmith, Shannon M. (author); Cai, Li (chair); Verzi, Michael (internal member); Liu, Fang (internal member); Kong, Tony (outside member); Rutgers University; Graduate School - New Brunswick
Date Created2013
Other Date2013-10 (degree)
SubjectCell and Developmental Biology, CD antigens, Breast--Cancer--Research, Cancer cells--Growth--Regulation
Extentxiii, 118 p. : ill.
DescriptionIn the United States, breast cancer is the most common form of non-skin cancer and the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in women. The National Cancer Institute recognizes two clinical challenges in breast cancer research. First, the prevention of breast cancer is seen as a challenge due to the complex nature of the developing breast. Second, there is no effective treatment for the metastatic diseases due to the presence of cancer stem-like cells. Cancer stem-like cells (CSC) have the ability to continuously proliferate and differentiate, sustaining the original tumor and generating new tumors. CSCs represent a small population of a tumor and can be identified by cell surface protein markers that distinguish the cells from the surrounding population of cancer cells. In breast cancer, CSCs can be identified by the up-regulation of CD44, a cell surface glycoprotein, and the down-regulation of CD24, a cell adhesion molecule. CD44 is a cell surface glycoprotein involved in a number of cellular processes, including cell adhesion, migration and cell-cell interactions. The protein is a receptor for hyaluronic acid and it can interact with other ligands such as osteopontin and collagens. Ongoing research of CD44 focuses on downstream effects of CD44 and how variant forms of CD44 function in cancer cells. Despite the intense research aimed at understanding CD44’s role in cancer and cancer stem-like cells, little is known about its regulation in normal or cancer cells. As an important component of gene transcription machinery, cis-regulatory elements are located in non-coding genomic DNA on the same chromosome as the gene of interest and are responsible for the up- and down-regulation of genes. Cis-elements are often highly conserved and tend to be in regions of open chromatin configuration making them accessible to trans-acting factor binding proteins. In this thesis, I have identified a highly conserved region, CR1, with the ability to direct gene expression in a cell specific manner. Further analysis revealed that the trans-acting factor NFκB has the ability to bind CR1 and is involved in regulating CD44 expression. Inhibition of NFκB resulted in reduced CD44 expression and subsequently a reduction in proliferation and invasiveness of breast cancer cells. These findings provide new insight into molecular mechanism underlying CD44 regulation in breast cancer cells and offers new clues to therapeutic targets that may help eliminate chemo- and radiation-resistant cancer cells and subsequent metastasis.
NotePh.D.
NoteIncludes bibliographical references
NoteIncludes vita
Noteby Shannon M. Smith
Genretheses, ETD doctoral
Persistent URLhttps://doi.org/doi:10.7282/T3VQ30QN
Languageeng
CollectionGraduate School - New Brunswick Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Organization NameRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
RightsThe author owns the copyright to this work.
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