Thesis
Studies on the overexpression of cripto proteins in epithelial cell lines
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2001
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/63
Abstract
Cripto-1 (CR-1) is an interesting protein which is highly associated with a large number of human cancers. As such, an understanding of the biology of this protein should provide clues to the possible treatment of cancer. Unfortunately, CR-1 is a difficult protein to work with. Apparently highly modified post-translationally, production of useful of recombinant protein by standard bacterial methods is difficult. In addition, the experiment described here imply that the accumulation of the protein in mammalian cells is tightly regulated. This may account for the fact that, over ten years from its first identification and association with tumorigenic phenotype, native CR-1 has yet to be purified. The difficulties of working with the protein do not prevent interesting and useful analysis of its activity, however. There is a naturally-occurring isoform of CR-1, called CR-3, which differs from the CR-1 product by just 6 amino acids. In the experiments described in this thesis, it is demonstrated that not only does the introduction of the CR-1 gene using an adenoviral vector alter the phenotype of the modified cells, but that CR-1 and CR-3 produce phenotypes. The very interesting observation shows that minor alterations in the amino acid sequence of Cr-1 lead changes in the biochemistry of the protein, and highlight CR-3 as a powerful tool for further studies into the regulation and activity of Cr-1. In addition to these interesting studies, the appendix of the thesis describes a wide variety of techniques which were utilized to isolate CR-1 protein, either native or recombinant, from mammalian cells. While these techniques were ultimately unsuccessful, they are not entirely exhaustive, and may provide good ideas for further avenues which maybe more fruitful.
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Details
- Title
- Studies on the overexpression of cripto proteins in epithelial cell lines
- Creators
- Martha A. Kintner
- Contributors
- Howard L. Hosick (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Molecular Biosciences, School of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; Pullman, Wash. :
- Identifiers
- 99900525132501842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis