Standardization of Gene Expression Array Analysis Using Rapidly Growing Cancer Cells

Grant Winner

Dean

Abstract

VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) is one of the most important biochemical factors that control cancer growth via promoting tumor angiogenesis. Understanding the mechanisms regulating angiogenesis is considered as valuable for the prognostic evaluation of cancers where angiogenesis plays a major role in both growth and metastasis. For the first time we have obtained preliminary evidence which suggests that an oncogene product called MDM2, a p53 neutralizing protein, might also control VEGF synthesis. However, we need to conduct further studies to fully explain the nature of this intracellular link. Elucidating the pathway that is linking MDM2 to VEGF production would lead to the development of new modes of cancer screening to predict tumor angiogenesis and cancer metastasis. The same findings would also help in designing gene therapy based treatment strategies. Therefore, to further establish the link between MDM2 and VEGF we have proposed a detailed study involving multiple Gene Expression Array (GEArray) analyses and requested funding from NCI. In that proposal the NCI was informed that the P.I's laboratory would be standardizing the GEArray techniques and obtain preliminary data by the end of 2001. By standardizing the GEArray techniques and developing preliminary data, the P.I.'s laboratory would be in a position to readily analyze the gene expression status in several other cancer cell lines, when NCI funds his project, and complete the proposal study within the specified time. Therefore the P.I. is requesting research funds to standardize the GEArray technique and conduct preliminary studies. The GEArray is one of newest technologies used by scientists to quickly analyze the expression status of multiple genes. The P.I. is well versed with molecular biology techniques, therefore he would be able to standardize this analysis and develop preliminary data with GI-101A breast tumor and HL-60 leukemia cells. The results would be presented in the IUBMB meeting that is going to be held in Bergen (NORWAY) on May 4-8 in 2002.