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Access Type
WSU Access
Date of Award
January 2019
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.S.
Department
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
First Advisor
David R. Evans
Abstract
ABSTRACT
THE ROLE OF FAM129B IN CANCER METASTASIS
by
LAUREN MARIE IACOBELLI
May 2019
Advisor: Dr. David Evans
Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Degree: Master of Science
Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a natural, biological process within the human body. Under normal circumstances, it a complete transition from epithelial cells to mesenchymal cells, i.e. embryonic development and tissue fibrosis. However, under malignant metabolic processes, EMT is an incomplete transition. These cells maintain a hybridization state that sanctions malignant cells more aggressive than others, ultimately leading to metastasis. EMT’s involvement in the metastatic spread of tumorigenic cells is one of the hallmarks of cancer. In this study, we analyzed the role of FAM129B/MINERVA in epithelial to mesenchymal transition. This novel protein, has been implicated in apoptosis and metastasis of melanoma cells, another hallmark of cancer. We first confirmed that this protein co-localizes to plasma membrane upon contact with other cells through adherens junctions. Through knockdown of this protein, followed by TGF-1 induced EMT, we preliminarily concluded that FAM129B does not play a direct role in the induction of epithelial to mesenchymal transition.
Recommended Citation
Iacobelli, Lauren Marie, "The Role Of Fam129b In Cancer Metastasis" (2019). Wayne State University Theses. 708.
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/oa_theses/708