Expression And Localization Of Erbb Receptor Biomarkers In Breast Cancer Cell Lines

Shreya Shankar

School Name

Governor's School for Science and Math

Grade Level

12th Grade

Presentation Topic

Cell and Molecular Biology

Presentation Type

Mentored

Mentor

Mentor: Dr. Korf; Molecular Genome Analysis, German Cancer Research Center

Oral Presentation Award

2nd Place

Written Paper Award

1st Place

Abstract

Breast cancer occurs when cell cycle genes in mammary cells malfunction and lead to unregulated growth. It is the second most prominent cancer worldwide and first in women. Malfunctions of cell cycle surface receptors and the initiation of downstream signaling lead to cancer. Extracellular ligands bind to these receptors to activate them if cellular growth is required. However, mutations, over-expression, or hetero/homo-dimerization of these receptors can cause tumorigenesis. The receptors in this study are the ErbB family which has four members: ErbB1/EGFR, ErbB2/HER2, ErbB3/HER3, and ErbB4. The first three show involvement in breast cancer. The aim of this research was to get preliminary data on the expression of these receptor and other cell cycle genes as biomarkers in starved conditions in five breast cancer cell lines. This aim was achieved by performing Western Blot Analysis to determine the expression levels of various proteins in these cell lines. Immunofluorescence microscopy was also performed on one cell line, HCC1954 for ErbB1 and ErbB2 to determine the location of these receptors. The results from the Western Blot analysis indicated that the five cell lines expressed these proteins in different amounts, but in most cases, was higher in starved cells than cells treated with Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS). The immunofluorescence microscopy showed that ErbB1 and ErbB2 receptors were located in the membrane ruffles and co-localized upon stimulation with FBS. Further testing must be done to classify these proteins as biomarkers so that drugs can be generated. Therapies can also be identified to target co-localization.

Location

Owens 202

Start Date

4-16-2016 8:45 AM

COinS
 
Apr 16th, 8:45 AM

Expression And Localization Of Erbb Receptor Biomarkers In Breast Cancer Cell Lines

Owens 202

Breast cancer occurs when cell cycle genes in mammary cells malfunction and lead to unregulated growth. It is the second most prominent cancer worldwide and first in women. Malfunctions of cell cycle surface receptors and the initiation of downstream signaling lead to cancer. Extracellular ligands bind to these receptors to activate them if cellular growth is required. However, mutations, over-expression, or hetero/homo-dimerization of these receptors can cause tumorigenesis. The receptors in this study are the ErbB family which has four members: ErbB1/EGFR, ErbB2/HER2, ErbB3/HER3, and ErbB4. The first three show involvement in breast cancer. The aim of this research was to get preliminary data on the expression of these receptor and other cell cycle genes as biomarkers in starved conditions in five breast cancer cell lines. This aim was achieved by performing Western Blot Analysis to determine the expression levels of various proteins in these cell lines. Immunofluorescence microscopy was also performed on one cell line, HCC1954 for ErbB1 and ErbB2 to determine the location of these receptors. The results from the Western Blot analysis indicated that the five cell lines expressed these proteins in different amounts, but in most cases, was higher in starved cells than cells treated with Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS). The immunofluorescence microscopy showed that ErbB1 and ErbB2 receptors were located in the membrane ruffles and co-localized upon stimulation with FBS. Further testing must be done to classify these proteins as biomarkers so that drugs can be generated. Therapies can also be identified to target co-localization.