Prolactin Stimulates Expression of BP1, a Homeotic Protein Frequently Expressed in Breast Cancer

Prolactin (PRL) is a well characterized regulatory hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary and other organs, as well as by normal and malignant breast epithelial cells. PRL, referred to as "the master regulatory hormone in breast cancer", has been implicated in breast cancer cell proliferation, survival and metastasis. It is involved in multiple pathways including the Jak/STAT, the MAPK and the PI3K/Akt, one of the major pathways activated in breast cancer. BP1 is a transcription factor belonging to the family of homeobox genes. BP1 protein (pBP1) appears to play a crucial role in cell survival, aggressiveness and metastasis. It has been shown that pBP1 is expressed in 80% of invasive ductal breast tumors, and that 100% of estrogen receptor (ER) negative tumors. The aim of this study is to determine whether there is a relationship between PRL and BP1 expression due to their significant roles in cell survival and to determine any common pathways that both PRL and BP1 may be involved in. If BP1 activation by PRL is required, BP1 may be a potential target for cancer therapy.

Author

• Uzturk, Belkis Gizem

Language

• en

Date created

• 2009

Type of Work

• Master's Thesis

License

• All rights reserved

Rights statement

• In Copyright

GW Unit

• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Degree

• M.S.

Advisor

• Berg, Patricia E.

Committee Member(s)

• Vanderhoek, Jack Y.
• Kumar, Ajit

Persistent URL

•  https://scholarspace.library.gwu.edu/etd/c821gj99n