Transfection of HEK293 Cells with Specifically Generated GFP Constructs for Cell Organelles to Study EMP3 with MET and CD44 in Glioblastoma
School Name
South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics
Grade Level
12th Grade
Presentation Topic
Cell and Molecular Biology
Presentation Type
Mentored
Abstract
Glioblastoma is one of the most aggressive and common types of cancer. Its exact cause is unknown; however, one potential factor associated with glioblastoma would be epithelial membrane protein 3 (EMP3), a multifunctional protein that when upregulated, is associated with a poor prognosis in glioblastomas. The interaction between EMP3 and two other proteins, membrane epithelial transition protein (MET) and CD44, was observed to learn more about the function of EMP3 and determine its potential as a therapeutic target in glioblastoma treatment. In previous experiments, it was found that MET and CD44 interact and are facilitated by EMP3. The objective of this research was to create green fluorescent protein (GFP) constructs and mark various cell organelles which include the nucleus, early endosomes, the membrane, the entire cell, and the endoplasmic reticulum. These constructs were then transfected into human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells to check the validity of each construct. In future experiments, these constructs will be used to observe the protein-protein interactions at different locations in the cell and to pinpoint the location of these interactions in hopes of learning more about EMP3 and possibly developing a drug to weaken glioblastoma progression.
Recommended Citation
Lai, Yo-chih, "Transfection of HEK293 Cells with Specifically Generated GFP Constructs for Cell Organelles to Study EMP3 with MET and CD44 in Glioblastoma" (2025). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 37.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2025/all/37
Location
PENNY 201
Start Date
4-5-2025 11:15 AM
Presentation Format
Oral Only
Group Project
No
Transfection of HEK293 Cells with Specifically Generated GFP Constructs for Cell Organelles to Study EMP3 with MET and CD44 in Glioblastoma
PENNY 201
Glioblastoma is one of the most aggressive and common types of cancer. Its exact cause is unknown; however, one potential factor associated with glioblastoma would be epithelial membrane protein 3 (EMP3), a multifunctional protein that when upregulated, is associated with a poor prognosis in glioblastomas. The interaction between EMP3 and two other proteins, membrane epithelial transition protein (MET) and CD44, was observed to learn more about the function of EMP3 and determine its potential as a therapeutic target in glioblastoma treatment. In previous experiments, it was found that MET and CD44 interact and are facilitated by EMP3. The objective of this research was to create green fluorescent protein (GFP) constructs and mark various cell organelles which include the nucleus, early endosomes, the membrane, the entire cell, and the endoplasmic reticulum. These constructs were then transfected into human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells to check the validity of each construct. In future experiments, these constructs will be used to observe the protein-protein interactions at different locations in the cell and to pinpoint the location of these interactions in hopes of learning more about EMP3 and possibly developing a drug to weaken glioblastoma progression.
