DCC gene plays role in prostate cancer
One pathway for the development of cancer is the inactivation of specific tumor suppressor genes. For example, if the DCC gene (Deleted in Colorectal Cancer) is unexpressed, prostate cancer may result. For the first time, Yong Chen, PhD, is about to show how the opposite may also be true. Dr. Chen’s studies have shown that expression of DCC induces apoptosis and arrests the growth of prostate tumor cells. So while inactive DCC may be linked with cancer growth, activation of DCC may be linked with cancer cures. Dr. Chen, associate professor in pathology and the Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, recently received more than $1.4 million from the National Institutes of Health to study DCC and its molecular signaling mechanisms. “We found that introducing the normal DCC gene into prostate tumor cells results in death or growth arrest of the tumor cells. Our result implies that loss of the DCC gene may serve as a prognostic and/or diagnostic marker for prostate cancer patients. Also, the DCC gene may be used for gene therapy of human prostate cancer,” said Dr. Chen, who has a dual appointment at WSU and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute. Signaling molecules dubbed DIPs (DCC interacting proteins) are responsible for issuing the order to kill the cell or begin apoptosis. Therefore, the DIPs that transmit these signals or orders are critical to the process. “Our long-term objective is to delineate the signaling pathways of DCC and its potential utility in prognosis, diagnosis or treatment of prostate cancer as well as other human cancers,” said Dr. Chen. This project has also received funding from the U.S. Army Department of Defense.
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