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1
Nambiar, Roopa. "Zebrafish hdac1 reciprocally regulates the canonical and non-canonical Wnt pathways." Columbus, Ohio : Ohio State University, 2006. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc%5Fnum=osu1150313622.
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Chow, Hei-man, and 周熙文. "Hormonal, chemical, and transcriptional regulations of Wnt/{221}-catenin signaling in mammary carcinogensis." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2010. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B4589100X.
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Ng, Chun-laam, and 吳圳嵐. "Wnt inhibitory factor 1 (Wif-1) coordinates Shh and Wnt signaling activities in urorectal development." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2012. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B48329629.
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In vertebrates, the urogenital sinus and the hindgut are connected at a hollow region called cloaca. A midline mesenchymal structure known as urorectal septum (urs) descends from the ventral body wall to separate the urogenital sinus from the hindgut before the formation of an anal opening. Subsequent cloaca membrane regression at the ventral midline of the genital tubercle (GT) is crucial for the formation of an anal opening. These two events are important during cloaca septation in urorectal development.
Mice with defective Shh or Wnt signaling displayed similar urorectal defects such as GT agenesis, un-partitioned cloaca (persistent cloaca) and proximal urethral opening that are attributable to increased cell apoptosis. Furthermore, Shh and Wnt signal transduction coordinate with each other and regulate cell survival of the developing urorectum. However, the molecular mechanisms by which these two signaling pathways coordinate in urorectal development remain unclear.
We previously identified Wnt inhibitory factor1 (Wif1) from Affymetrix array analysis for genes/pathways that is implicated in urorectal development. Wif1 is a secreted protein that binds directly to Wnt ligands preventing Wnts from binding to receptors. This leads to -catenin degradation and thereby inhibits their activities. It is known that Wif1 binds to Wnt3a and Wnt5a with high affinity and deletion of Wnt3a, Wnt5a and -catenin in mice caused GT agenesis, persistent cloaca and proximal hypospadias. Using ETU-induced anorectal malformations model, I found out that Wif1 is ectopically expressed in the un-tubularized and un-septated urorectum. Wif1 is mainly expressed at the fusing endoderm that associates with programmed cell death during cloaca septation. Exogenous addition of Wif1 protein in urorectum culture also caused cloaca membrane disintegration, and proximal urethral opening that may be due to aberrant apoptosis.
Shh and Wif1 are differentially expressed at the cloaca endoderm. In normal mice, Shh is highly expressed at the cloaca endoderm except those Wif1-expressing endodermal cells. Blockage of Shh pathway by cyclopamine in urorectum culture induced ectopic expression of Wif1, concomitant with genital tubercle hypoplasia and un-septated cloaca. More importantly, deletion of Shh in mice hastened Wif1 expression at the cloaca membrane endoderm and elicited increased cell death in the
Wif1 expressing endoderm. Wif1-/- embryos display urorectal defects including delayed genital outgrowth and proximal hypospadias. Therefore, disruption of spatiotemporal expression of Wif1 could lead to defective Wnt signaling and contributes to abnormal urorectal development in Shh-/- mutant.
Current study revealed that Wif1 is involved in urorectal development and is implicated in urorectal defects. It may function as a pro-apoptotic factor to regulate endodermal cell death which is essential for the septation process. Its specific expression is restricted at the midline cloaca endoderm by Shh signaling to inhibit local Wnt--catenin activities during cloaca septation. I proposed novel hypothetical models to explain (1) the significance of the tempo-spatial expression of Wif1; (2) the significance of cell death; and (3) the molecular mechanism that Shh signaling regulates Wnt signaling activities through Wif1 in urorectal development.published_or_final_version
Surgery
Doctoral
Doctor of Philosophy
4
Ho, Sze-hang, and 何思恆. "Differential expression of Wnt inhibitors Dickkopf-1 (Dkk-1) and Wnt inhibitory factor-1 (Wif1) in the regulation of urorectal development." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10722/207999.
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In mammals, the external genitalia, urinary tract and anorectal tract are developed from a common embryonic primordium, the urorectum. Cloaca is the hollow space inside the urorectum that connects the hindgut and the urogenital sinus. During the urorectal development, the external genitalia is formed from the outgrowth of genital tubercle (GT) protruding from the urorectum, while the future urinary tract and anorectal tract are formed by the partition of cloaca during cloacal septation. GT outgrowth and cloacal septation are important developmental events for the formation of genitourinary and anorectal system. In human, dysregulation of these developmental events results in congenital anorectal malformations (ARM).
Wnt signaling is one of the key signaling pathways that regulates urorectal development. The activity of Wnt signaling is initiated by the binding of Wnt ligands to cell surface receptors, which can be antagonized by secretory Wnt inhibitors. Dickkopf1 (Dkk1) and Wnt inhibitory factor 1 (Wif1) are secretory Wnt inhibitors implicated in urorectal development. However, the functions of other secretory Wnt inhibitors during urorectal developments remain to be elucidated.
In this study, expression analyses showed that Dkk1, Dickkopf2 (Dkk2), Dickkopf4 (Dkk4), Secreted Frizzled-related Protein 1 (Sfrp1) and Wif1 were expressed in the developing urorectum. The dynamic, overlapping and restricted expression patterns of these Wnt inhibitors were closely associated with the GT outgrowth and the cloacal septation events, implying that these Wnt inhibitors functioned in a coordinated manner in defining the field of Wnt signaling activities in the developing urorectum.
Wif1 knockout mice (〖Wif1〗^(-/-)) was used as the model to investigate the functions of and the interplay between secretory Wnt inhibitors in urorectal development. GT outgrowth and cloacal septation defects were observed in 〖Wif1〗^(-/-) embryos. Most of the 〖Wif1〗^(-/-) embryos displayed varying degrees of GT outgrowth defects, while septation defects were only occasionally observed. This suggested that GT outgrowth and cloacal septation were regulated by Wif1 via different regulatory mechanisms.
In the urorectum of 〖Wif1〗^(-/-) embryos, Dkk1 was significantly upregulated in the peri-cloacal mesenchyme. Further expression analysis suggested that Dkk1 was sufficient to rescue cloacal septation defects but not GT outgrowth defects in 〖Wif1〗^(-/-)embryos. In the 〖Wif1〗^(-/-) embryos with severe GT outgrowth defects, the Fgf8-expressing distal urethral epithelium, the signaling center in the urorectum, was absent, suggesting that the GT outgrowth defects could be contributed by the loss of dUE-expressing signals such as Fgf8.
This study demonstrated the importance of secretory Wnt inhibitors in the GT outgrowth and cloacal septation and suggested that secretory Wnt inhibitors played partially overlapping roles in urorectal development. A rescue mechanism for cloacal septation performed by Dkk1 upon Wif1 deletion was proposed. Such auto-regulatory mechanism within the Wnt signaling pathway indicated that Wnt inhibitors play essential regulatory roles in the urorectal development and a balanced Wnt signaling activity modulated by Wnt inhibitors is crucial to the development of urorectum.published_or_final_version
Surgery
Master
Master of Philosophy
5
Kwan, Hoi-tung, and 關愷彤. "AMPK activators inhibit cervical cancer cell growth through reduction of Dvl3 in Wnt/{221}-catenin signaling." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2011. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B46936087.
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Yang, Xuesong, and 楊雪松. "Identification of epigenetic biomarkers for diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and determination of WIF1 functional relevance." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10722/209492.
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Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is closely associated with Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV).Early diagnosis of NPC will improve the overall survival. However, traditional EBV markers do not perform well in high-risk individuals or for early detection of NPC. Aberrant promoter hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) is an important epigenetic change in early tumorigenesis. This study identified a promising panel of methylation markers for early detection of NPC and assessed the clinical usefulness of these markers using nasopharyngeal (NP) brushing and blood specimens.
Methylation-sensitive high resolution melting (MS-HRM) assays were carried out to assess the methylation status of a selected panel of four TSGs (RASSF1A, WIF1, DAPK1, RAR2)in biopsies, NP brushings and cell-free plasma from NPC patients. NP brushing and blood samples from high-risk and cancer-free groups were used as controls.
The DNA methylation panel showed higher sensitivity and specificity than the EBV DNA markerincell-free plasma for early stage (Iand II) NPC (sensitivity: 64.6% vs. 51.2% and specificity: 96.0% vs. 88.0%, respectively). In combination with plasma EBV DNA, testing for DNA methylation in plasma and NP brushings using the four-gene MS-HRM test significantly increased the detection rate for all stages of NPC(94.1% for stages I-II, 98.4% for stages III-IV) as well as recurrence(93.5%).
Aberrant activation of the Wnt signaling pathway is a common mechanism for cell transformation and tumor development in a variety of human cancers. A high frequency of promoter hypermethylation of WIF1was observed in NPC cell lines (100%), primary tumor biopsies(89.7%), NP brushings (80.2%), and cell-free plasma (51.8%),with no significant correlation with NPC stage. Simultaneously, expression of WIF1 was completely silenced in NPC cell lines (HONE1, HK1, HNE1, SUNE1, CNE1, CNE2, and C666),but not in immortalized NP epithelial cells (NP460 and NP69). These together suggested an important role of WIF1 in NPC development.
In vitro and in vivo functional assays revealed a tumor suppressive role of WIF1in NPC. Restoration of WIF1expression in NPC cells significantly suppressed anchorage-independent growth, in vivo tumorigenicity, invasion, migration, and angiogenesis of NPC cells. A number of important angiogenesis-related genes were down-regulated by WIF1expression, including IL6,IL8,VEGF165,VEGFA, PDGFB, and MCP1. There is inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, manifested as decreased β-catenin expression and TCF/LEF Wnt promoter activity. These data indicated the important regulatory role of Wnt signaling pathway in NPC tumorigenicity, invasion, migration, and angiogenesis, by interacting with the complex signaling network in NPC cells.
To conclude, the MS-HRM assay on the selected gene panel in combination with the EBV DNA test, increases the sensitivity for NPC detection at an early stage and detection of recurrence and has great potential to become a non-invasive test for early diagnosis and disease monitoring after treatment. Collectively, results from this study reveal that WIF1is not only a sensitive biomarker, but also a tumor suppressor gene in NPC. Understanding the molecular regulatory role ofWIF1in NPC will facilitate the diagnosis of NPC, and development of novel NPC therapeutic strategy.published_or_final_version
Clinical Oncology
Doctoral
Doctor of Philosophy
7
Wong, Yin-chi Betty. "Significance of LRP6 coreceptor upregulation in the aberrant activation of Wnt signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma." Click to view the E-thesis via HKUTO, 2008. http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkuto/record/B41757865.
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Chan, Lai Sheung. "Therapeutic potential of a Wnt modulator ICG-001 on nasopharyngeal carcinoma." HKBU Institutional Repository, 2017. https://repository.hkbu.edu.hk/etd_oa/410.
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According to the cancer stem cells (CSCs) hypothesis, CSCs are responsible for the treatment failures. CSCs are a subset of cells possessing stemness properties within the heterogeneous tumor mass. Therapeutic intervention on Wnt signaling is of our great interest because an aberrant Wnt signaling is an important driver to maintain the potency of CSCs. In nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), deregulated expression of the Wnt signaling components is frequently observed. ICG-001 is a selective Wnt modulator (CBP antagonist) that specifically interrupts the interaction between β-catenin and CBP, thereby encourages the interaction between β-catenin and p300 and the subsequent differentiation and reduction of the CSCs subset. For this reason, the present study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of ICG-001 in NPC. Results showed that ICG-001 inhibited both the migration of the NPC cells and the formation of tumor spheres. In the first part of the mechanistic studies (Chapter 3), ICG-001 was found to restore the expression of miR-150 in NPC cells. MiR-150 was further found to directly reduce CD44 expression and inhibit NPC cell migration. In the second part of the mechanistic studies (Chapter 4), ICG-001 was found to reduce the expression of Evi1 in NPC cells. The effect was accompanied with the inhibition of both the NPC cells migration and the tumor spheres formation. Two molecular axes, namely miR-96/Evi1/miR-449a and survivin/Evi1/miR-449a, were found to be involved in the inhibition of the tumor cell migration and spheroids formation. The therapeutic potential of using this CBP antagonist (ICG-001) in NPC, namely the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of ICG-001 combined with cisplatin, was examined (Chapter 5). Concurrent treatment of ICG-001 and cisplatin exhibited a synergistic inhibition on the in vitro growth and the tumor sphere forming capacity of NPC cells as well as the growth of NPC xenografts. Taken together, results presented in this thesis suggested that ICG-001 (PRI-724 is the analog of ICG-001 currently used in clinical trials) has a therapeutic potential in NPC.
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Chamorro, Mario Narciso. "Characterization of different aspects of Wnt signaling : in human and mouse tumors /." Access full-text from WCMC, 2009. http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1619205751&sid=2&Fmt=2&clientId=8424&RQT=309&VName=PQD.
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Brown, Jeffrey D. "Mechanisms and functions of Wnt signaling in Xenopus development /." Thesis, Connect to this title online; UW restricted, 1999. http://hdl.handle.net/1773/5013.
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Brannon, Mark K. "Wnt pathway-mediated transcriptional regulation of the Xenopus dorsoanterior organizing gene siamois /." Thesis, Connect to this title online; UW restricted, 1999. http://hdl.handle.net/1773/9256.
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Wong, Yin-chi Betty, and 黃妍之. "Significance of LRP6 coreceptor upregulation in the aberrant activation of Wnt signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2008. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B41757865.
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Deshpande, Rashmi Jayant. "POP-1/CETCF-1 has multiple functions in P ectoblast development." Columbus, Ohio : Ohio State University, 2005. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc%5Fnum=osu1133378295.
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Pedrosa, Angelica Vasconcelos 1986. "Análise comparativa da expressão dos genes Vangl1 e Vangl2 durante a ontogênese da galinha (Gallus gallus)." [s.n.], 2013. http://repositorio.unicamp.br/jspui/handle/REPOSIP/317674.
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Orientador: Lúcia Elvira AlvaresDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia
Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-24T17:37:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Pedrosa_AngelicaVasconcelos_M.pdf: 1992620 bytes, checksum: ed7d02568860e3ccf1e489cf2928818e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013
Resumo: A correta padronização do corpo do embrião requer a atividade de diferentes vias de sinalização. Dentre elas, uma que se destaca é via de sinalização Wnt de polaridade celular planar (Wnt/PCP), que é responsável pelo controle da polaridade celular e pela organização celular de diversos tecidos nos animais. Uma vez interrompida, a via Wnt/PCP pode causar falhas no fechamento do tubo neural, provocando defeitos congênitos. Em seres humanos, mutações em componentes-chave da via Wnt/PCP como as proteínas codificadas pelos genes Vangl1 e Vangl2 têm sido associadas à graves malformações geradas por falhas no fechamento do tubo neural. Estruturalmente, ambos os genes Vangl1 e Vangl2 codificam proteínas de superfície transmembranares, essenciais para o desenvolvimento apropriado do embrião. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo a caracterização do padrão de expressão dos genes Vangl1 e Vangl2 durante a embriogênese de Gallus gallus. Ensaios de hibridação in situ em embrião inteiro (whole mount) e cortes em vibratómo foram realizados com a finalidade de estabelecer temporal e espacialmente o padrão de expressão dos genes Vangl1 e Vangl2. Como resultado, observou-se que estes genes são expressos durante as etapas de gastrulação, neurulação e no início da organogênese do desenvolvimento embrionário de Gallus gallus. No início da gastrulação, os genes Vangl1 e Vangl2 possuem domínios de expressão comuns nos embriões de galinha, uma vez que ambos são expressos na linha primitiva, nódulo de Hensen e crescente cardiogênico. Contudo, nossos dados revelaram particularidades na expressão destes genes, uma vez que há uma predominância dos transcritos de Vangl1 na região posterior da linha primitiva, enquanto Vangl2 apresenta uma expressão uniforme ao longo desta estrutura. Em adição, enquanto Vangl1 é expresso na notocorda e em toda a extensão do nódulo de Hensen, Vangl2 é expresso no entorno desta estrutura. Ao longo da neurulação e na organogênese inicial, ambos os genes Vangl são expressos de maneira similar, em domínios que abrangem a placa, as pregas e o tubo neural. Outros importantes domínios de expressão dos Vangl correspondem às vesículas ópticas e óticas, às vesículas encefálicas particularmente na região das flexuras encefálicas, aos diferentes tipos de mesoderma (paraxial, intermediário e lateral) e ao assoalho da faringe. Ao comparar os resultados obtidos por hibridação in situ em galinha ao um levantamento bibliográfico sobre outros vertebrados, observou-se uma sobreposição dos domínios-chave de expressão nos diferentes organismos, demonstrando a conservação filogenética da atividade destes genes e sugerindo uma possível conservação funcional. Desta forma, nossos dados sugerem que os genes Vangl desempenham um importante papel no desenvolvimento embrionário de aves, possivelmente coordenando os movimentos morfogenéticos durante a gastrulação, bem como a formação da placa neural e posterior dobramento e fechamento do tubo neural, além de outros processos da embriogênese de aves
Abstract: The correct patterning of the embryo's body requires the activity of different signaling pathways. Among them, one that stands out is the Wnt Planar Cell Polarity Signaling Pathway (Wnt/PCP), which is responsible for controlling the cell polarity and cellular organization of many tissues in animals. Failures in the Wnt/PCP signaling can cause neural tube birth defects. In humans, mutations in key components of the Wnt/PCP as the Vangl1 and Vangl2 molecules were identified in patients with neural tube defects. Structurally, both Vangl1 and Vangl2 genes encode transmembrane surface proteins similar, which are essential to proper development. The present study aimed to characterize the expression pattern of Vangl1 and Vangl2 genes during embryogenesis in Gallus gallus. Whole-mount in situ hybridization assays and vibratome sectioning of embryos were conducted in order to establish the spatial and temporal expression pattern of Vangl1 and Vangl2 genes. Our results showed that these genes are expressed during gastrulation, neurulation and early organogenesis in Gallus gallus. At the onset of Gastrulation, Vangl1 and Vangl2 genes have common areas of expression in chicken embryos, since both are expressed in the primitive streak, Hensen's node and cardiogenic crescent. However, our data showed particularities in the expression of these genes, since there is a predominance of Vangl1 transcripts in the posterior region of the primitive streak while Vangl2 has a uniform expression throughout that structure. In addition, while Vangl1 is expressed in the notochord and in the full length of the Hensen's node, Vangl2 is expressed only around this structure. Throughout neurulation and early organogenesis, both Vangl genes are expressed in a similar manner on the neural plate, neural groove, neural folds and in the neural tube. Other important areas of Vangl expression correspond to optical and otic vesicles, the brain vesicles, the different types of mesoderm (paraxial, intermediate and lateral) and the floor of the pharynx. By comparing the chicken expression of Vangl genes with other vertebrates, we notice that there are overlapping expression patterns among key areas among different organisms, showing a phylogenetic conservation of expression domains and suggesting a possible functional conservation. Overall, our data suggests that Vangl genes play an important role in embryonic development of bird, possibly by coordinating the morphogenetic movements during gastrulation, as well as the formation of neural tube, among other processes during the birds embriogenesis
Mestrado
Biologia Celular
Mestra em Biologia Celular e Estrutural
15
Rahmatpanah, Farahnaz B. Caldwell Charles W. "Large scale CpG island methylation profiling of small B cell lymphoma." Diss., Columbia, Mo. : University of Missouri-Columbia, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10355/6863.
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The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on April 1, 2010). Vita. Thesis advisor: Charles W. Caldwell. "May 2008" Includes bibliographical references
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Melichar, Heather J. "SOX13, A γδ T Cell-Specific Gene, Is a WNT-Signaling Antagonist Regulating T Cell Development: A Dissertation." eScholarship@UMMS, 2006. https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/gsbs_diss/251.
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Mature αβ and γδ T cells arise from a common precursor population in the thymus. Much debate has focused on the mechanism of T cell lineage choice made by these multi-potential precursor cells. It is widely believed that the decision of these precursor cells to commit to the γδ or αβ T cell lineages is regulated primarily by a specific instructive signal relayed through the appropriate T cell receptor. Contrary to this model, we present evidence for a TCR-independent lineage commitment process. Comparison of global gene expression profiles from immature αβ and γδ lineage thymocytes identified Sox13, an HMG-box transcription factor, as a γδ T cell-specific gene. Unlike other HMG-box transcription factors such as TCF1, LEF1 and SOX4, that are critical for proper αβ T cell development, Sox13 expression is restricted to early precursor subsets and γδ lineage cells. Importantly, SOX13 appears to influence the developmental fate of T cell precursors prior to T cell receptor expression on the cell surface. Transgenic over-expression of Sox13 in early T cell precursors strongly inhibits αβ lineage development, in part, by inhibiting precursor cell proliferation and concomitantly, leading to increased cell death among αβ lineage subsets. Steady-state γδ T cell numbers, however, appear unaffected. Strikingly, the DP αβ lineage cells that do develop in Sox13 transgenic mice are imprinted with a γδ- or precursor-like molecular profile, suggesting that SOX13 plays an active role in the lineage fate decision process or maintenance. Sox13-deficient mice, on the other hand, have selectively reduced numbers of γδ thymocytes, indicating that SOX13 is essential for proper development of γδ T cells. We present additional data demonstrating that SOX13 is a canonical WNT signaling antagonist modulating TCF1 activity, raising a strong possibility that WNT signals, and their modulators, are at the nexus of γδ versus αβ T cell lineage commitment.
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Guo, Dongli. "Expression of Wnt signaling targets and their clinico-pathological significance in colorectal neoplasm a tissue microarray study /." Click to view the E-thesis via HKUTO, 2006. http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkuto/record/B38610541.
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Guo, Dongli, and 郭冬麗. "Expression of Wnt signaling targets and their clinico-pathological significance in colorectal neoplasm: a tissuemicroarray study." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2006. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B38610541.
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Santos, Carla Cristine Crude dos. "Ação de agonistas da via Wnt/beta-catenina em células T CD4+ murinas." Universidade de São Paulo, 2015. http://www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/5/5146/tde-26082015-110639/.
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A via canônica Wnt/beta-catenina regula várias funções em vertebrados, incluindo diferenciação de células T, bem como a proliferação, sobrevivência, morfogênese e migração de vários tipos celulares. As células T CD4+ é fundamental para a competência imunológica. Foi observado pelo nosso grupo que células T CD4+ humanas apresentam ativação da via Wnt/beta-catenina após tratamento com sais de lítio ou outros agonistas da via. A ativação desta via induziu a proliferação de células T CD4+ naive e de memória central. Em conjunto, estes dados sugerem um importante papel da via Wnt/beta-catenina na homeostase de células T CD4+ humanas. Seria importante avaliar o papel da via Wnt/beta-catenina nas células do sistema imune no modelo murino, já que pouco se sabe sobre seu efeito na homeostase de células T CD4+ murinas. A ativação da via Wnt/beta-catenina pode ser induzida com inibidores da proteína Glicogênio sintase quinase 3beta (GSK3beta), por exemplo, os sais de lítio (LiCl e Li2CO3) e inibidores específicos (SB, CHIR) em vários tipos celulares. Neste trabalho, avaliamos o efeito de inibidores de GSK3? na ativação da via Wnt/beta-catenina canônica em esplenócitos e células T CD4+, através da realização de experimentos in vivo e in vitro, avaliando a expressão de seus genes alvo HIG2, Bcl-xL, Ciclina D1 e c-myc. Verificou-se que o tratamento in vivo agudo (2-12 h após a administração) ou crônico (administração diária por 30 dias) de camundongos não é capaz de ativar a via Wnt/beta-catenina in vivo em células esplênicas e células T CD4+, embora o mesmo tratamento induza a expressão dos genes alvo da via no tecido cerebral (córtex e hipocampo). Além disso, também não foi possível verificar ativação da via em esplenócitos e células T CD4+ após tratamento in vitro das mesmas com LiCl ou os inibidores específicos de GSK3beta testados(CHIR99021, SB-216763), embora essa ativação tenha sido observada na linhagem celular HEK293. Nossos resultados sugerem que a via Wnt/beta-catenina (canônica) não é induzível em células T CD4+ murinas maduras, com os agonistas testados. Isso pode ter implicações fisiológicas, por exemplo sobre a homeostase de células T CD4+, já que a proliferação homeostática de células T, influenciada em humanos pela via Wnt/beta-catenina, é menos importante em camundongosThe Wnt/beta-catenin pathway regulates many functions in vertebrates, including T cell differentiation, as well as proliferation, morphogenesis and migration in different cell types. CD4+ T cells play is fundamental for immunological competence. Our group has observed that human CD4+ T cells present activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway after treatment with lithium salts or other pathway agonists. The activation of this pathway induced proliferation in naive and central memory CD4+ T cells. Together, these results suggest an important role for the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway in the homeostasis of human CD4+ T cells. It would be very important to evaluate the role of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway in T cells in the mouse model, since little is known about its effect in mice CD4+ T cell homeostasis. The activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway may be induced with Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3B (GSK3beta) inhibitors, i.e., lithium salts as mentioned above, and specific GSK3beta inhibitors (SB, CHIR) in different cell types. In this work, we evaluated the effect of GSK3beta inhibitors in the activation of the canonical Wnt/beta-catenin in splenocytes and CD4+ T cells, by conducting experiments in vivo and in vitro, evaluating the expression of its target genes HIG2, Bcl-xL, Cyclin D1 and c-myc. We verified that acute (2-12 hours after administration) or chronic (daily administration for 30 days) treatment of mice with lithium salts is not able to activate the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway in splenocytes and CD4+ T cells, although we could observe activation in brain tissues (cortex and hypothalamus). Besides, no activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway was observed in these cell types after in vitro treatment with LiCl or the specific inhibitors of GSK3beta (CHIR99021, SB-216763), while the pathway was activated by the same treatments in HEK293 cells. Our results suggest that the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway is not inducible in murine mature CD4+ T cells with the tested agonists. This may have physiological implications, for instance on the homeostasis of CD4+ T cells, where homeostatic proliferation - influenced the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway in human T cells - is less important in the maintenance of the murine peripheral T cell pool
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Korvala, J. (Johanna). "In quest of genetic susceptibility to disorders manifesting in fractures:assessing the significance of genetic factors in femoral neck stress fractures and childhood non-OI primary osteoporosis." Doctoral thesis, Oulun yliopisto, 2012. http://urn.fi/urn:isbn:9789514298295.
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Abstract Osteoporosis is a bone disorder that leads to a reduction in bone volume, deterioration of bone microarchitecture and therefore increased fracture risk. Bone disorders such as osteoporosis commonly have both genetic and environmental components. Family and twin studies have shown the importance of genetics in bone formation and health, but most of the genetic factors contributing to bone formation are still largely unknown. The aim of this thesis was to search for and identify genetic factors that predispose to two different bone disorders manifesting in fractures, namely femoral neck stress fractures and childhood primary osteoporosis without features of OI (i.e. non-OI primary osteoporosis). Furthermore, in vitro studies were performed to elucidate the importance and mechanism of action of identified genetic factors in non-OI primary osteoporosis. By using candidate gene analyses we identified predisposing alleles, haplotypes and their interactions that increased the risk for femoral neck stress fractures in young male military conscripts. The conscripts lacking the CTR C allele and/or VDR C-A haplotype had a three-fold increased risk for femoral neck stress fractures compared to the carriers of both. Furthermore, conscripts carrying the LRP5 A-G-G-C haplotype had a three-fold increased risk for femoral neck stress fractures and in combination with VDR C-A haplotype a four-fold increased risk for stress fractures. These associations were mediated by low body weight and BMI. In the search for genetic factors of non-OI primary osteoporosis in children and adolescent, two novel mutations in LRP5 and two more variants in WNT3A and DKK1 were found in patients. The variants were also observed in the affected family members, but not in the control group. The effects of these variants were examined in in vitro studies and the results showed that some LRP5 mutations and the WNT3A variant might reduce bone formation by decreasing the canonical Wnt signalling activityTiivistelmä Osteoporoosi on luustosairaus, joka alentaa luuntiheyttä ja heikentää luun rakennetta ja siten lisää murtumien riskiä. Osteoporoosin kaltaiset luusairaudet ovat usein monitekijäisiä tauteja, joiden syntyyn vaikuttavat sekä perinnölliset että ympäristölliset tekijät. Perhe- ja kaksostutkimukset ovat osoittaneet perinnöllisten tekijöiden olevan tärkeitä luun muodostuksessa ja terveydessä, mutta nämä tekijät ovat kuitenkin vielä suurelta osin tuntemattomia. Tutkimustyön tavoitteena oli etsiä ja tunnistaa perinnöllisiä tekijöitä, jotka altistavat kahdelle luunmurtumina ilmenevälle sairaudelle: reisiluunkaulan rasitusmurtumille ja lasten primaariselle osteoporoosille. Lisäksi primaariselle osteoporoosille altistavien perinnöllisten tekijöiden merkitystä ja vaikutusmekanismeja tutkittiin in vitro- kokeilla. Reisiluunkaulan rasitusmurtumille altistavien alleelien, haplotyyppien ja näiden vuorovaikutusten tunnistamiseen käytettiin ehdokasgeenianalyysiä nuorten alokkaiden aineistossa. Potilailla, joilta CTR-geenin C-alleeli ja/tai VDR-geenin C-A haplotyyppi puuttuivat, oli kolminkertainen riski rasitusmurtumien syntyyn molempien geenimuotojen kantajiin verrattuna. Myös LRP5-geenin A-G-G-C haplotyypin kantajilla oli kolminkertainen riski rasitusmurtumiin ja VDR-geenin C-A haplotyyppi ja A-G-G-C yhdessä lähes nelinkertaistivat rasitusmurtumien riskin alokkailla. Näiden assosiaatioiden todettiin välittyvän alhaisen painon ja painoindeksin välityksellä. Lapsuudessa tai varhaisnuoruudessa puhkeavan primaarisen osteoporoosin perinnöllisten tekijöiden etsinnässä löydettiin kaksi uutta mutaatiota LRP5-geenistä ja yhteensä kaksi uutta muutosta WNT3A- ja DKK1-geeneistä. Uusien ehdokasgeenilöydösten osuutta primaarisen osteoporoosin syntyyn tukee se, että muutokset löydettiin potilaiden lisäksi heidän sairailta sukulaisiltaan eikä muutoksia havaittu kontrolliaineistoissa. Uusien mutaatioiden mahdollisia vaikutuksia tutkittiin in vitro-kokein, jotka osoittivat, että eräät LRP5-geenin mutaatiot ja WNT3A-geenin muutos alentavat kanonisen Wnt-signalointireitin aktiivisuutta ja voivat siten vähentää luunmuodostusta
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Roarty, Kevin Patrick. "The role of TGF-ß and Wnt5a in mammary gland development and tumorigenesis." Thesis, Birmingham, Ala. : University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2008. https://www.mhsl.uab.edu/dt/2008p/roarty.pdf.
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Merenda, Alessandra. "Development of a new screening system for the identification of RNF43-related genes and characterisation of other PA-RING family members." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2017. https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/267982.
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The E3 ubiquitin ligase RNF43 (RING finger protein 43) is an important negative modulator of the WNT signalling pathway that acts at the plasma membrane by targeting Frizzled and its co-receptor LRP for degradation. In the small intestine, this prevents uncontrolled expansion of the stem cell compartment and so it is essential to the maintenance of normal tissue homeostasis. However, despite its crucial role in fine-tuning the WNT pathway and its role as a tumour suppressor, it is unclear whether RNF43 has further binding partners and what their functional relevance is to the modulation of WNT signalling. Here, I describe the development of a new screening strategy which combines CRISPR/Cas9 technology with 3D-intestinal organoid culture for the identification of novel molecular interactors of RNF43. Overall, this study and the technology developed provide a tool to enable the detailed description of the mechanism of action of RNF43, which is important not only in order to increase our understanding of WNT pathway regulation but also to gain potential new insights into RNF43 paralogs, by analogy. The investigation of paralogs is crucial as RNF43 belongs to a newly identified family of E3 ubiquitin ligases, named the PA-RING family, whose members are still poorly characterised. The majority of PA-RING family members have not been linked to any signalling pathway, most of their targets are still unknown and in many cases their in vivo function has not been addressed. In this context, my work has specifically focused on the investigation of the potential involvement of additional PA-RING family members in WNT pathway modulation and also on target identification for selected members. The results summarised in this dissertation show that no other PA-RING family member plays a prominent role in WNT pathway modulation aside from Rnf43 and its homologue Znrf3, however, different classes of adhesion molecules are likely to be regulated by certain of these E3 ligases. In conclusion, my work has contributed to unravelling previously unexplored aspects of this protein family, with particular regard to RNF43 and its mechanism of action. Thanks to this original approach, it was possible to identify potential new players involved either in membrane clearance of Frizzled or in RNF43 maturation. In particular, my thesis focuses on the characterisation of the role of DAAM in RNF43-mediated Frizzled internalisation.
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Melo, Natália Cruz e. "Validação de genes diferencialmente expressos identificados em células MCF-7 com diferenças de expressão de PAR-4 (Prostate Apoptosis Response-4) antes e após a exposição de docetaxel." Universidade de São Paulo, 2016. http://www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/5/5155/tde-12042016-150215/.
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O PAWR (Prostate apoptosis response- 4) também conhecido como PAR-4 é um gene pró-apoptótico identificado em células de câncer de próstata quando expostas a estímulos apoptóticos. A expressão de PAR-4 pode aumentar a sensibilidade da célula a apoptose, incluindo células de câncer de mama. Ensaios de expressão gênica por transcriptoma foram realizados em nosso laboratório (dados ainda não publicados), com o objetivo de analisar genes diferencialmente expressos associados à quimiossensibilidade ao docetaxel em células MCF-7 transfectadas com o vetor de expressão para PAR-4 (MCF7pcPAR4) e o com vetor vazio (MCF7pcNEO) antes e após o tratamento com docetaxel. Para avaliar a interação entre os genes diferencialmente expressos foram geradas redes gênicas funcionais utilizando o programa IPA- Ingenuity®. Dentre as diversas redes gênicas geradas destacaram-se as que continham genes relacionados direta ou indiretamente com a via de sinalização WNT (Wingless-Type MMTV Integration 1). O presente estudo visa validar genes diferencialmente expressos identificados em células MCF-7 com diferenças de expressão de PAR-4 antes e após a exposição de docetaxel. Através da anotação manual dos genes mais diferencialmente expressos, foram selecionados os genes EGR1, XAF1, TARP e WNT5A para validação por PCR em Tempo Real (qRT-PCR). A plataforma Human WNT Signaling Pathway RT2 Profiler(TM) PCR Array (PCR Array) foi utilizada para avaliar o efeito da overexpressão de PAR-4 e do tratamento de docetaxel na expressão de genes das vias canônica e não canônica do WNT. A expressão positiva do gene WNT5A nas células MCF7pcPAR4 em relação a MCF7pcNEO foi confirmada por qRT-PCR na ausença e presença do tratamento com docetaxel. O gene EGR1 apresentou regulação positiva significativa na técnica de qRT-PCR na ausência de tratamento, porém não apresenta o mesmo perfil de expressão observado no ensaio de transcriptoma. O gene XAF1 apresentou regulação negativa nas células MCF7pcPAR4 quando comparadas com as células MCF7pcNEO na ausência e presença de docetaxel, com tendência a validação na ausência de tratamento e de não validação na presença de docetaxel. Foi observado o aumento significativo da expressão de TARP nas células MCF7pcPAR4 por qRT-PCR na ausência e presença de docetaxel, porém esses achados não confirmam os resultados obtidos no transcriptoma. Em nossos dados de PCR Array na comparação MCF7pcPAR4 vs MCF7pcNEO antes do tratamento, encontramos diferença de expressão significativa (p < 0,005) em 9 genes. Sendo que, os genes CDKN2A, EGR1, FGF7, IL6 e TWIST apresentaram expressão positiva e os genes NTRK2, SOX2, SOX9 e WISP1 tiveram expressão negativa. Na comparação na presença de docetaxel observamos que os genes CACNAD2A3, GDF5, IL6, FGF7, LEF1 e TWIST apresentaram regulação positiva e FST apresentou regulação negativa com significância estatística (p < 0,005). Dos 84 genes da plataforma PCR array foram observados 21 e 14 genes comuns entre ambas às técnicas na ausência e presença de docetaxel, respectivamente. Na ausência de docetaxel 16 genes apresentaram o mesmo perfil de expressão, dentre estes a regulação positiva de GJA1, IGF1, IGF2, LEF1, MMP2, PDGFRA, PTGS2 e TWIST, associadas á regulação negativa de CDH1, JAG1, NTRK2 sugerem ativação da via WNT/?-catenina. Enquanto, a expressão de DAB2, WNT5A, FZD7 e RUNX2 indica inativação dessa via. Na presença do tratamento 6 genes apresentaram o mesmo perfil de expressão. Dentre estes, a regulação positiva de CTGF, DAB2 e EGR1 sugerem inativação da via WNT/beta-catenina. Por outro lado, a expressão positiva de FGF20, LEF1 e PDGFRA sugerem que via WNT/beta-catenina estaria ativa. Neste estudo, podemos mostrar que PAR-4 modula genes da via de sinalização WNT. Porém, mais experimentos serão necessários para verificar quais mecanismos estão envolvidos e de que forma isso reflete na quimiossensibilidade a drogasPAWR (Prostate Apoptosis Response-4) also known as PAR-4 is a pro-apoptotic gene identified in prostate cancer cells when exposed to apoptotic stimuli. PAR-4 expression can increase sensitivity of cells to apoptosis, including breast cancer cells. Our laboratory performed transcriptome profiling (unpublished data), with the aim of analyzing differentially expressed genes associated with chemosensitivity to docetaxel in transfected MCF-7 cells with PAR-4 expression plasmid (MCF7pcPAR4) and with empty vector (MCF7pcNEO) before and after treatment with docetaxel. To assess the interaction between the differentially expressed genes functional gene networks were generated using the IPA Ingenuity® software. Networks generated containing genes directly or indirectly related with the WNT signaling pathway (Wingless-Type MMTV Integration 1) were highlighted. The present study aims to validate the differentially expressed genes identified in MCF-7 cells with different PAR-4 expression before and after exposure of docetaxel. By manual annotation of the genes most differentially expressed, the genes EGR1, XAF1, TARP and WNT5A were selected to be validated by quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR). The platform WNT Signaling Pathway Human RT2 Profiler (TM) PCR Array (Array PCR) was used to evaluate the effect of PAR-4 overexpression and docetaxel treatment in gene expression of canonical and noncanonical WNT pathways. The positive expression of WNT5A in MCF7pcPAR4 cells relative to MCF7pcNEO was confirmed by qRT-PCR in the presence and absence of docetaxel. The EGR1 gene showed significant upregulation in the qRT-PCR in the absence of treatment, but showed a different expression profile of the one observed in the transcriptome assay. The XAF1 showed a negative regulation in MCF7pcPAR4 cells when compared with MCF7pcNEO cells in the absence and presence of docetaxel, showing a similar trend in the absence of treatment but opposed trend in the presence of docetaxel. It was observed a significant increase in TARP expression in MCF7pcPAR4 cells by qRT-PCR in the absence and presence of docetaxel, but these findings do not confirm the results of the transcriptome. PCR Array data of MCF7pcPAR4 vs MCF7pcNEO comparison before treatment, showed a significant expression difference in nine genes (p < 0.005). The genes CDKN2A, EGR1, FGF7, IL6 and TWIST showed positive expression and the genes NTRK2, SOX2, SOX9 and WISP1 had negative expression. In the presence of docetaxel it was observed that the genes CACNAD2A3, GDF5, IL6, FGF7, LEF1 and TWIST showed upregulation and FST downregulation with statistical significance (p < 0.005). From 84 genes of the platform PCR array we observed 21 and 14 common genes between both techniques in the absence and presence docetaxel, respectively. In the absence of docetaxel 16 genes showed similar expression profile, among them the upregulation of GJA1, IGF1, IGF2, LEF1, MMP2, PDGFRA, PTGS2 and TWIST, together with downregulation of CDH1, JAG1, NTRK2 suggest activation of the WNT/beta-catenin pathway. While the expression of DAB2, WNT5A, FZD7 and RUNX2 indicates inactivation of this pathway. In the presence of treatment six genes showed the same expression profile. Among these, the upregulation of CTGF, DAB2 EGR1 suggest the inactivation of Wnt/beta-catenin pathway. On the other hand, positive expression of FGF20, LEF1 and PDGFRA suggests that Wnt/beta-catenin would be active. In this study, we show that PAR-4 modulates genes of the WNT signaling pathway. However, more experiments are needed to clarify the role of WNT canonical and non-canonical pathways and how this reflects on drug chemosensitivity
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Huguet, Emmanuel L. "Wnt genes in human breast biology." Thesis, University of Oxford, 1995. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.297228.
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Lako, Majlinda. "Identifying and characterising novel human WNT genes." Thesis, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, 1998. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.242351.
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Railo, A. (Antti). "Wnt-11 signalling, its role in cardiogenesis and identification of Wnt/β-catenin pathway target genes." Doctoral thesis, University of Oulu, 2010. http://urn.fi/urn:isbn:9789514261534.
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Abstract
Wnt genes encode secreted signalling molecules that control embryonic development including organogenesis, while dysregulated Wnt signalling is connected to many diseases such as cancer. Specifically, Wnts control a number of cellular processes such as proliferation, adhesion, differentiation and aging. Many Wnt proteins activate the canonical β-catenin signalling pathway that regulates transcription of a still poorly characterized set of target genes. Wnts also transduce their signaling in cells via β-catenin-independent “non-canonical” pathways, which are not well understood. In this study, Wnt-11 signalling mechanisms in a mammalian model cell line and roles of Wnt-11 in heart development were analyzed in detail. In addition the aim was to identify new Wnt target genes by direct chromatin immunoprecipitation and Affymetrix GeneChip assays in the model cells exposed to Wnt-3a.
Our studies reveal that Wnt-11 signalling coordinates the activity of key cell signalling pathways, namely the canonical Wnt/β-catenin, the JNK/AP-1, the NF-κB and PI3K/Akt pathways in the CHO cells. Analysis of the Wnt-11-deficient embryos revealed a crucial role in heart organogenesis. Wnt-11 signalling coordinates cell interactions during assembly of the myocardial wall and Wnt-11 localizes the expression of N-cadherin and β-catenin to specific cellular domains in the embryonic ventricular cardiomyocytes. Collectively these studies reveal that the mammalian Wnt-11 behaves as a non-canonical Wnt and that it is a critical factor in the coordination of heart development. Specifically, it controls components of the cell adhesion machinery. Analysis of the Wnt target genes revealed a highly context-dependent profile in the Wnt-regulated genes. Several new putative target genes were discovered. Out of the candidate Wnt target genes, Disabled-2 was identified as a potential new direct target for Wnt signalling.
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Louie, Sarah. "Wnt signaling regulated by Frizzled and HIPK1 /." Thesis, Connect to this title online; UW restricted, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/1773/6267.
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Torres, Monica Alexandra. "WNT signaling pathways in Xenopus laevis /." Thesis, Connect to this title online; UW restricted, 1997. http://hdl.handle.net/1773/6293.
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Schwarcz, Leslie Esther. "Linking steroid hormone and Wnt signaling /." view abstract or download file of text, 2006. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/uoregon/fullcit?p3211226.
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Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2006.Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 71-82). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users.
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Leal, Letícia Ferro. "Via Wnt/?-catenina em tumores adrenocorticais pediátricos." Universidade de São Paulo, 2011. http://www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/17/17144/tde-06012016-181445/.
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Introdução: Em crianças das regiões Sul e Sudeste do Brasil há uma incidência elevada de tumores adrenocorticais (TAC). Anormalidades da ?-catenina tem sido encontradas em TAC em adultos e sugerem a ativação da via Wnt/ -catenina nestes tumores. No entanto, não há estudos avaliando o papel desta via em casuísticas de TAC pediátricos. Objetivos: Avaliar o papel da via Wnt/catenina e mutações do gene CTNNB1 na tumorigênese adrenocortical pediátrica. Indivíduos, Material e Métodos: Foram avaliados 62 pacientes pediátricos com TAC oriundos de dois centros de referência. Controles: córtex adrenal de indivíduos jovens com morte acidental. Avaliou-se a presença de mutação nos genes TP53 e CTNNB1. A expressão de genes da via Wnt (CTNNB1, o ligante WNT4, os inibidores SFRP1, DKK3 e AXIN1, o fator de transcrição TCF7 e os genes-alvo MYC e WISP2) foi avaliada por qPCR, utilizando-se o método de 2-Ct. Adicionalmente, a expressão de proteínas da via Wnt/-catenina e P53 foi avaliada por imunoistoquímica. Avaliou-se a relação entre possíveis anormalidades moleculares com o fenótipo clínico e o desfecho. Resultados: A sobrevida geral foi maior em pacientes menores que 5 anos de idade (p<0.0001) e em pacientes com estágios tumorais menos avançados (p<0.0001). A mutação P53 p.R337H foi encontrada em 87% dos pacientes e não se associou com características clinicopatológicas ou desfecho. Mutações do gene CTNNB1 foram encontradas em 4/62 (6%) TAC, todos carreadores da mutação P53 p.R337H. Houve associação entre óbito e presença de mutações do gene CTNNB1 (p=0,02). Acúmulo difuso da -catenina foi observado em 71% dos TAC, a maioria sem mutações do CTNNB1. Comparados a adrenais normais, os TAC apresentaram aumento da expressão do RNAm de CTNNB1 (p=0.008) e diminuição da expressão de genes inibidores da via Wnt: DKK3 (p<0.0001), SFRP1 (p=0.05) e AXIN1 (p=0.04). Com relação aos genes-alvo da via Wnt/-catenina, TAC apresentaram expressão aumentada de WISP2 e baixa expressão de MYC. Maior sobrevida geral foi associada à expressão baixa de SFRP1 (p=0.01), WNT4 (p=0.004) e TCF7 (p<0.01). Conclusões: Em TAC pediátricos, mutações somáticas ativadoras do gene CTNNB1 são pouco freqüentes e parecem estar associadas à maior ocorrência de óbito. Mesmo na ausência de mutações do gene CTNNB1, estes tumores apresentaram acúmulo de -catenina e do gene-alvo WISP2 e expressão reduzida de inibidores da via Wnt (DKK3, SFRP1 e AXIN1). Estes dados demonstram evidências de anormalidades na via Wnt/-catenina em TAC pediátricos, mesmo na ausência de mutações do gene CTNNB1. É provável que outros eventos genéticos afetando a via Wnt/-catenina estejam envolvidos na tumorigênese adrenocortical pediátricaContext: CTNNB1 mutations and activation of Wnt/-catenin pathway are frequent in adult adrenocortical tumors (ACTs) but data on childhood ACTs are lacking. Objective: To investigate Wnt/-catenin pathway abnormalities and CTNNB1 mutations in childhood ACTs. Patients and Methods: Clinicopathological findings and outcome of 62 childhood ACTs patients were analyzed regarding to CTNNB1/ -catenin mutations and to the expression of Wnt-related genes (CTNNB1, a Wnt ligand: WNT4, Wnt inhibitors: SFRP1, DKK3 and AXIN1, a transcription factor: TCF7, and target genes: MYC and WISP2) by qPCR and immunohistochemistry. Results: Overall survival (OS) was higher in patients younger than 5 years (p<0.0001) and associated with less advanced tumoral stage (p<0.0001). The p.R337H P53 mutation, found in 87% of the patients, was not associated with clinicopathological findings or outcome. CTNNB1 activating mutations were found in only 4/62 ACTs (6%), all of them harboring TP53 mutation. There was association between the presence of CTNNB1 mutation and death (p=0.02). Diffuse -catenin accumulation was found in 71% of ACTs, most of them without CTNNB1 mutation. CTNNB1 mutated ACTs presented weak/moderate -catenin accumulation. Compared to normal adrenals, ACTs presented increased expression of CTNNB1 (p=0.008) and underexpression of Wnt inhibitor genes: DKK3 (p<0.0001), SFRP1 (p=0.05) and AXIN1 (p=0.04). With regards to Wnt/-catenin target genes, ACTs presented lower expression of MYC but increased expression of WISP2. Higher overall survival was associated with underexpression of SFRP1 (p=0.01), WNT4 (p=0.004) and TCF7 (p<0.01). Conclusions: In childhood ACTs, CTNNB1 mutations are rare and appear to be associated with poor prognosis. Regardless of CTNNB1 mutations, these tumors presented reduced expression of Wnt inhibitor genes (DKK3, SFRP1 and AXIN1) and increased expression of CTNNB1 and a target gene, WISP2. Thus, besides CTNNB1 mutations, additional genetic events affecting the Wnt/-catenin pathway may be involved in childhood adrenocortical tumorigenesis.
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Sheldahl, Laird Charles. "Molecular components of the Wnt/calcium pathway /." Thesis, Connect to this title online; UW restricted, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/1773/6294.
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Martin, Jennifer. "Wnt regulated transcription factor networks mediate vertebrate cardiogenesis." Thesis, Available from the University of Aberdeen Library and Historic Collections Digital Resources. Online version available for University members only until Feb. 15, 2012, 2009. http://digitool.abdn.ac.uk:80/webclient/DeliveryManager?application=DIGITOOL-3&owner=resourcediscovery&custom_att_2=simple_viewer&pid=25801.
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Braun, Michelle M. "Anteroposterior patterning of the vertebrate forebrain : a role for Wnt signaling /." Thesis, Connect to this title online; UW restricted, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/1773/10666.
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Veeman, Michael Terrence. "Zebrafish prickle : non-canonical Wnt/PCP functions in vertebrate gastrulation /." Thesis, Connect to this title online; UW restricted, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/1773/4999.
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Chen, Shou. "Structural biology of Wnt signalling through LDL receptor-related proteins." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2011. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.556271.
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Cell-cell communication involving the Wnt family of secreted signalling molecules is fundamental to animal development and homeostasis, whilst dysregulation of Wnt signalling causes many human diseases including cancer and osteoporosis. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6) co-operates with members of the Frizzled family of seven- pass transmembrane proteins to transduce Wnt signalling across the cell membrane. This thesis first reviews the Wnt signalling pathway from a molecular perspective, and then describes the methods employed in this doctoral work. Next, structural and functional studies of the LRP6 extracellular domain that reveal a cell surface platform for Wnt signalling are reported. Finally, this thesis presents results preliminary to the structural characterisation of the Dickkopf (Dkk) family of secreted Wnt modulators and their complexes with LRP receptors. The LRP6 ectodomain comprises four tandem six- bladed Tyr- Trp- Thr-Asp B- propeller-epidermal growth factor-like domain (PE) pairs which harbour binding sites for Wnt morphogens and their antagonists including Dkkl. To understand how these multiple interactions are integrated, crystallographic analysis of the third and fourth PE pairs was combined with electron microscopy to determine the complete ectodomain structure. An extensive inter-pair interface, conserved for the first-to-second and third-to-fourth PE interactions, contributes to a compact platform-like architecture, which is disrupted by mutations implicated in developmental diseases. Electron microscopy reconstruction of the LRP6 platform bound to chaperone Mesd (mesoderm development) exemplifies a binding mode spanning PE pairs. Cellular ar d binding assays identify overlapping Wnt3a- and Dkkl- binding surfaces on the third PE pair, consistent with steric competition, but also suggest a model in which the platform structure supports interplay of ligands through multiple interaction sites. The major discoveries of this work have been published as a research article in the journal Developmental Cell.
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Sousa, Kyle Matthew. "Nuclear receptor and Wnt function in developing dopaminergic neurons /." Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2007. http://diss.kib.ki.se/2007/978-91-7357-105-0/.
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Smith, Benjamin Martin. "Investigating the non-globular proteins of the canonical Wnt signalling pathway." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2018. https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/275359.
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The canonical Wnt pathway is a vitally important signalling pathway that plays an important role in cell proliferation, differentiation and fate decisions in embryonic development and in the maintenance of adult tissues. The twelve Armadillo (ARM) repeat-containing protein beta-catenin acts as the signal transducer in this pathway and is continuously degraded in the cytosol by the beta-catenin destruction complex (BDC). Upon receiving the Wnt signal the BDC is inactivated, allowing beta-catenin to accumulate in the cytosol and be transported to the nucleus where it binds to the TCF/LEF family of transcription factors, inducing the expression of cell cycle promotor genes. In this Thesis I describe investigations into the roles of leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) and the transcription factor TCF7L2 within this signalling pathway. LRRK2 is a large multi-domain protein with strong links to Parkinson’s disease and suggested to play a role in inactivating the BDC in response to the Wnt signal. A recent paper proposed that the previously uncharacterised regions of LRRK2 contain a series of tandem repeat sub-domains. I began an investigation into these sub-domains but I was unable to produce soluble protein constructs despite the use of a range of common techniques, and so I was forced to conclude this project early. The main body of this thesis focuses on the interaction between the intrinsically disordered TCF7L2 and the repeat protein beta-catenin, a very long interface of approximately 4800 Å2 that spans from the third to the eleventh ARM repeat of beta-catenin and residues 12 to 50 of TCF7L2, as determined by X-ray crystal structures. First, a fluorescence reporter system for the binding interaction was developed and used to determine the kinetic rate constants for the association and dissociation of the wild-type construct using stopped-flow fluorescence spectroscopy and time-dependent fluorescence spectroscopy. It was found that association of TCF7L2 and beta-catenin was rapid (7.3 ± 0.1 x107 M-1s-1) with only a single phase was observed, whereas dissociation was biphasic and slow (5.7 ± 0.4 x10-4 s-1, 15.2 ± 2.8 x10-4 s-1). Using either of these two dissociation rate constants the calculated Kd value obtained is much lower than the values previously reported in the literature (8 ± 1 / 20 ± 2 pM compared with 16 nM). This reporter system was then used to investigate the striking variability between three crystal structures previously obtained for the TCF7L2-beta-catenin complex, in which different regions of TCF7L2 show different elements of secondary structure. Mutational analysis revealed that the interface residues on TCF7L2 identified in these structures make little or no contribution to the overall binding affinity, pointing to a transient nature of these contact in solution and suggesting that the observed differences between the structures are due to differences in crystal packing. Further experiments into the effect of osmolarity on the binding equilibrium and kinetics supported this conclusion and suggest a change in the association/dissociation mechanism as a function of ionic strength. Lastly, further mutational analysis of TCF7L2 revealed two regions that contribute particularly strongly to the binding kinetics, suggesting that TCF7L2-beta-catenin assembly proceeds via a two-site avidity mechanism. Some of the most destabilising variants display two additional dissociation phases, indicating the presence of an alternative dissociation pathway that is inaccessible to the wild-type. In summary, the results presented here provide insights into the kinetics of molecular recognition of a long intrinsically disordered region with an extended repeat protein surface, a process shown to involve multiple routes with multiple steps in each.
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Ji, Jiafu. "The role of Wnt-induced secreted proteins (WISPs) in gastric cancer." Thesis, Cardiff University, 2015. http://orca.cf.ac.uk/75332/.
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Introduction: It has been recently shown that the WISP proteins (Wnt-inducted secreted proteins), a group of intra- and extra-cellular regulatory proteins, have been implicated in the initiation and progression of variety types of tumours including colorectal and breast cancer. However, the role of WISP proteins in gastric cancer (GC) cells and clinical implication in gastric cancer has not yet been fully elucidated. Materials and methods: The expression of the WISP transcript and proteins in a cohort of GC patients was analysed using real-time quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The expression of a panel of recognised EMT (epithelial-mesenchymal transition) markers were quantified (Q-PCR) in paired tumour and normal gastric tissues. WISP-2 knockdown sublines using anti-WISP-2 ribozyme transgenes were created in GC cell lines AGS and HGC27. Using the cell models and proteins extracted from gastric tissue samples, protein microarray was used to search for potential protein partners and signalling pathways involved with WISP-2. Subsequently, the biological functions, namely, cell growth, adhesion, migration and invasion, were studied. Potential mechanisms related with EMT, extracellular matrix and MMP (Matrix metalloproteinases) and signalling pathways were investigated. Results: Expression of WISP-2 was frequently detected in GC tissues. Levels of WISP-2, not WISP-1 and WISP-3, was significantly correlated with early TNM staging and differentiation status. High levels of WISP-2 were associated with a favourable clinical outcome and survival of the patients. We also found that WISP-2 expression inversely correlated with Twist and Slug in the paired gastric samples. Knockdown of WISP-2 expression increased the rate of proliferation, migration and invasion of GC cells and influenced expression of EMT biomarkers including Twist, Slug and Ecadherin. Using an antibody based protein microarray, ERK, JNK as well as AKT proteins were found to be co-precipiated with WISP-2 protein from human gastric tissue proteins. Furthermore, WISP-2 knockdown gastric cell lines also demonstrated a change in the ERK and JNK phophorylation. Mechanistically, WISP-2 suppressed GC cell metastasis through reversing epithelial-mesenchymal transition and suppressing the expression and activity of MMP-9 and MMP-2 via JNK and ERK. Cell motility analysis indicated that WISP-2 knockdown contributed to GC cells’ motility, an effect attenuated by PLC-γ and JNK small inhibitors. Conclusions: WISP-2 transcript and protein expressions are inversely linked to disease progression and linked to the survival of patients with gastric cancer. WISP-2 has a profound influence on the migration and adhesion of gastric cancer cells and is a powerful factor to reverse the EMT process in these cells. These effects of WISP-2 are via its involvement in the ERK and JNK pathways, which in turn modulate the MMP activities. Together, WISP-2 is an important regulator of the cellular function and an important factor in the progression of gastric cancer. It acts as a potential tumour suppressor in gastric cancer.
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Shah, Kavita Virendra. "Transcriptional regulation by distinct Wnt signaling pathways in melanoma /." Thesis, Connect to this title online; UW restricted, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/1773/6298.
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Stoick, Cristi Lee. "Distinct Wnt signaling pathways have opposing roles in appendage regeneration /." Thesis, Connect to this title online; UW restricted, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/1773/10657.
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Mohamed, Othman. "Identification of multiple roles for Wnt signaling during mouse development." Thesis, McGill University, 2004. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=85087.
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Signaling molecules play essential roles in communication between cells. Wnt signaling molecules are critical for embryonic development of several organisms. I examined the involvement of Wnt signaling during two major developmental processes, namely embryo implantation and formation of the embryonic body axes. Using RT-PCR analysis, I showed that multiple Wnt genes are expressed in the blastocyst at the time of implantation. Moreover, expression of Wnt 11 requires both estrogen produced by the mother and the uterine environment. Using a transgenic approach, I showed that beta-catenin-regulated transcriptional activity, which is a major transducer of Wnt signaling, is activated in the uterus specifically at the site of implantation in an embryo-dependent manner. These results introduce Wnts as candidate signaling factors that may mediate the communication between the embryo and uterus that initiates implantation.Wnt/beta-catenin signaling triggers axis formation in Xenopus and zebrafish embryos. I showed that, during embryonic development, beta-catenin-regulated transcriptional activity is first detected in the prospective primitive streak region prior to gastrulation. This demarcates the posterior region of the embryo. This activity then becomes restricted to the elongating primitive streak and to the node. In Xenopus embryos, beta-catenin participates in the formation of the organizer through the activation of the homeodomain transcription factors Siamois and Twin. I obtained evidence that a Siamois/Twin-like binding activity exists in mouse embryos and is localized in the node. These results strongly suggest that, as the case in Xenopus and zebrafish, the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway is involved in establishing embryonic body axes.
Furthermore, using the transgenic mouse line that I generated for these studies, I mapped the transcriptional activity of beta-catenin during mouse embryonic development. These results revealed when and where this activity, and presumably Wnt signaling, is active during the development of several organs and embryonic structures.
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Kenny, Paraic A. "Identification of Wnt-1l0-catenin responsive genes in mouse mammary epithelial cells." Thesis, Institute of Cancer Research (University Of London), 2002. http://publications.icr.ac.uk/9712/.
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The Wnt/β-catenin signal transduction pathway plays a central role in metazoan development, controlling such diverse processes as cell growth, proliferation and organogenesis. Wnt-1 was initially identified as a mammary oncogene. Mutations in other components of this signal transduction pathway - APC, β-catenin and Axin - have been implicated in the initiation and progression of an increasing number of human malignancies. Aberrant activation of this pathway leads to the inappropriate expression of target genes such as c-MYC and CYCLIN D1. Elucidation of additional target genes of this pathway will shed further light upon the mechanisms underlying the malignant phenotype. As an in vitro model of Wnt/β-catenin signalling in the mouse mammary gland, mammary epithelial cell lines were generated in which this pathway could be activated in a tetracycline-dependent manner. The transcriptional consequences of aberrant Wnt/β-catenin signalling were then investigated using cDNA microarrays. Using this approach, 70 genes have been identified as being potential transcriptionally upregulated targets of the pathway and a similar number have been shown to be repressed. Similar experiments were performed in a colorectal cancer cell line lacking functional APC. An analysis of a representative sample of these differentially expressed genes is presented here. The use of human tumour tissue microarrays containing 300 tumour samples from a variety of tissues was validated as an approach to test the relevance of candidate genes.
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Kenny, Paraic Anthony. "Identification of WNT-1/Beta-catenin responsive genes in mouse mammary cells." Thesis, Institute of Cancer Research (University Of London), 2002. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.269621.
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Sobreira, Debora Rodrigues 1981. "Identificação de uma nova variante do gene Dapper1 gerada por splicing alternativo durante o desenvolvimento de vertebrados e sua analise numa abordagem evolutiva." [s.n.], 2009. http://repositorio.unicamp.br/jspui/handle/REPOSIP/317676.
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Orientadores: Lucia Elvira Alvares, Jose Xavier NetoDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia
Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-13T10:17:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Sobreira_DeboraRodrigues_M.pdf: 2481929 bytes, checksum: 2cb1105ccc78322b5f11f4528108d2fc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009
Resumo: Splicing Alternativo é um mecanismo importante para expandir a diversidade protéica em eucariotos. Este processo permite a produção de diferentes mRNAs a partir de uma mesma molécula de pré-RNA e é freqüentemente utilizado pelos genes envolvidos no desenvolvimento embrionário. O gene Oapper1 (Opr1) é um importante modulador da via de sinalização Wnt, atuando em diversos processos como especificação do tecido neural, morfogênese cefálica e desenvolvimento do coração e olho. Entre seus parceiros estão as '1lOléculas Dishevelled, o fator de transcrição TCF-3 (ambas as moléculas envolvidas na sinalização Wnt) e Dbf-4 (regulador do ciclo celular). Considerando que Dpr1 possui uma estrutura modular e interage com diferentes parceiros moleculares através de diferentes domínios estruturais, esta molécula poderia utilizar a maquinaria de Splicing Alternativo para combinar diferentes domínios e conseqüentemente ampliar suas funções biológicas. Neste estudo, descrevemos uma nova Variante do gene Opr1, identificada inicialmente no transcriptoma de camundongo utilizando ferramentas de Bioinformática. Esta nova Variante é maior em 111 pb em relação à codificada pela seqüência referência de RNAm para Dpr1 RefSeq, as quais são denominadas, respectivamente, como Variante A e Variante B. Estes transcritos variantes são gerados por dois sítios aceptores de Splicing distintos presentes no início do exon 4. O segmento exclusivo da Variante A codifica 37 aminoácidos localizados na região onde Opr1 se associa ao fator transcricional TCF-3. Uma análise comparativa do lócus de Opr1 entre diversos vertebrados (peixe, anfíbio, galinha, camundongo e humano) revelou que ambos os sítios aceptores de Splicing são conservados nos tetrápodas, enquanto que em peixe apenas um sítio é encontrado. Ensaios de RT-PCR confirmaram nossos resultados obtidos em Bioinformática. Além disso, demonstramos que ambas as Variantes são co-expressas ao longo do desenvolvimento de galinha, sugerindo que a concentração relativa dessas moléculas pode ser importante para a sua função. Finalmente, análises de pressão seletiva foram realizadas para a molécula de Dpr1. Apesar de não se confirmar a presença de seleção positiva ao longo da proteína Dpr1, o exon 4 parece estar sob pressão seletiva mais relaxada quando comparado aos outros exons. Nossos resultados são consistentes com a hipótese de que o mecanismo de Splicing Alternativo atua acelerando a evolução, reduzindo a seleção negativa.
Abstract: Alternative splicing is an important mechanism to expand protein diversity in eukaryotes. This process allows the production of different mRNAs from a single coding sequence and is frequentfy used by genes involved in development. Oapper 1 (Opr1) is an important rnodulator of Wnt signalling, working in several developmental processes, such as neural tissue specification, head morphogenesis, heart and eye development. While its interaction with Oishevelled is known to modulate Wnt signalling both in vivo and in vitre, the interaction wrth other molecules is required to mediate its multiple biological functions. Considering that Dpr1 has a modular structure that mediates its interaction with different partners through different structural domains, this molecule could greatly benefit from alternative splicing in order to combine different domains and consequently amplify its biological functions. In the present study we describe a new Opr1 isoform that was initially identified in the mouse transcriptome using bioinformatic tools. This isoform is 111 pb longer than the one encoded by the RefSeq mRNA for Opr1, here named O and E isoforms, respectively. The variant transcripts are generated through two distinct acceptor splice sites in exon 4. The segment exclusive of the O isoform is in frame and encodes 37 residues located in a variable region of Oprl exon 4, known to be necessary for the interaction with the transcriptional factor Tcf3. comparative analysis of the Opr1 locus among fish, frog, chicken, mouse and human revealed that in tetrapods two acceptor splice sites are conserved in the beginning of the exon 4, while in fish a single acceptor splice site is found. RT-PCR using species-specific primers confirmed the expression of the O and E isoforms in tetrapods while in fish only the O isoform was detected. In addition, we showed that the Opr1 isoforms are coexpressed throughout chicken development, suggesting that the relative concentration of these molecules may be important for their functionality. Finally, even though no evidence of positive selection was detected for the entire Dpr1 protein, exon 4 seems to be under more relaxed selective pressure than the other exons. These results are consistent with the notion that alternative splicing can act as a mechanism for opening accelerated paths of evolution by reducing negative selection pressure.
Mestrado
Histologia
Mestre em Biologia Celular e Estrutural
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Hogvall, Mattias. "Analysis of Wnt ligands and Fz receptors in Ecdysozoa : Investigating the evolution of segmentation." Licentiate thesis, Uppsala universitet, Paleobiologi, 2015. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-266019.
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Schubert, Michael. "Wnt family genes in the cephalochordate amphioxus : structure, phylogenetic analysis, and developmental expression /." Diss., Connect to a 24 p. preview or request complete full text in PDF format. Access restricted to UC campuses, 2001. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/ucsd/fullcit?p3035434.
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Leal, Marcelo Larciprete. "Genes da via WNT são diferencialmente modulados por protocolos de treinamento de força." Universidade de São Paulo, 2009. http://www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/42/42134/tde-02022010-115900/.
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A proposta deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito de 8 semanas de treinamento de força ou potência sobre a expressão de genes pertencentes a via de sinalização canônica da WNT, assim como a expressão protéica de b-catenina. Vinte e cinco indivíduos (27,4±4,6 anos) foram distribuídos randomicamente nos grupos: treinamento de força (TF) (n=10), treinamento de potência (TP) (n=10), e controle (C) (n=5). Os grupos TF e TP realizaram o exercício agachamento durante 8 semanas, 3 vezes por semana. Biópsias do músculo vasto lateral foram retiradas antes e após o período de treinamento. Alguns genes foram modulados positivamente no grupo TF (WNT1:6.4 vezesP<0.0001; SFRP1:3.3 vezesP<0.0001 e LEF1:7.3 vezesP<0.0001) e também no grupo TP (WNT1:24.9 vezesP<0.0001; SFRP1:2.7 vezesP<0.0001; LEF1:34.1 vezesP<0.0001 e Cyclina D1:7.7 vezesP<0.001). O conteúdo protéico total de -catenina aumentou somente no grupo TP (p<0,05). Nossos dados indicam que o treinamento de potência desencadeia respostas de maior magnitude sobre a via WNT quando comparado ao treinamento de força máxima.The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of 8 weeks of strength and power training on the expression of genes related to the canonical WNT pathway and b-catenin protein levels. Twenty five subjects (27.4±4.6 yrs) were randomly assigned to three groups: strength training (ST) (n=10), power training (PT) (n=10), and control (C) (n=5). The ST and the PT groups performed squats, 3 times per week, for 8 weeks. Muscle biopsies from the vastus lateralis muscle were collected before and after the training period. Certain genes were up-regulated in the ST group (WNT1:6.4 foldP<0.0001; SFRP1:3.3 fold-P<0.0001 and LEF1:7.3 foldP<0.0001) and also in the PT group (WNT1:24.9 foldP<0.0001; SFRP1:2.7 foldP<0.0001; LEF1:34.1 foldP<0.0001 and Cyclin D1:7.7 foldP<0.001). Finally, the total protein content of -catenin increased only in the PT group (P<0.05). Our data indicate that PT triggers greater responses on the WNT pathway as compared to ST regimens.
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Yardy, George William. "Mutations in genes of the Wnt signalling pathway and PML in prostate cancer." Thesis, St George's, University of London, 2007. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.442060.
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Kunttas-Tatli, Ezgi. "Role of APC Proteins in Regulating Wnt Signaling and Cytoskeletal Organization in Drosophila." Research Showcase @ CMU, 2014. http://repository.cmu.edu/dissertations/423.
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Development of an embryo is a fascinating biological process that requires effective communication between neighboring cells and coordination of movement across the entire organism. At a cellular level, this is achieved by upstream signaling pathways ultimately regulating gene expression to provide cells with cues to perform certain tasks such as cell division, migration, cell rearrangements or changes in cell shape. All of these diverse tasks ultimately rely on rearrangements of the cytoskeleton. However, it is unclear what the molecular connections are between signaling and cytoskeletal dynamics. Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC) is a multifunctional protein that plays vital roles both in regulating the canonical Wnt signaling pathway and the cytoskeleton. Mutations of APC are associated with more than 80% of both familial and sporadic colorectal cancer cases. APC is one of few cytoskeletal proteins with direct links to cancer. However, as a multi-domain, multifunctional protein, a comprehensive understanding of APC biology has been difficult to achieve. While we have known for almost 20 years that APC proteins are essential negative regulators of Wnt signaling, the precise role they play both in regulating Wnt signaling and cytoskeletal have been unclear. In order for APC proteins to perform these diverse tasks and regulate both signaling and the cytoskeleton, it needs to be highly regulated itself. In my Ph.D. project, I approached APC proteins from many different angles, in many different developmental contexts, to gain insights into the precise role they play and how they are regulated in both the Wnt signaling and the cytoskeletal context. To better understand how APC proteins are regulated, I used Drosophila as a simpler, more tractable model. The large size of the vertebrate APCs (~300 kDa) makes it difficult to perform structure/function studies in the context of a full-length protein. Similar to vertebrates, flies have two highly conserved APC proteins (APC1 and APC2). Thus, I chose to study the fly APC homologs and mostly focused on the smaller member of the family, APC2, in my studies. To elucidate how APC proteins are regulated in the context of Wnt signaling, first we dissected the role of phosphorylation in the context of Wnt signaling. APC proteins are highly phosphorylated, and this plays a role in APCs activity in Wnt signaling. As a part of the destruction complex, APC targets the key effector of the pathway, ß-catenin for degradation. Phosphorylation of the central 20 amino acid repeats (20Rs) has received the most attention over the last decades, and has been shown to change the affinity of β-catenin binding in vitro. However, many of these in vitro models lacked an in vivo model. To test the functional significance of 20R phosphorylation in Wnt signaling, we used Drosophila APC2 and took advantage of the awesome power of genetics in this model organism. Our studies showed for the first time in an intact animal that 20R phosphorylation played an essential role. This study also suggested functional diversity among different 20Rs as well as gave us hints about the presence of macromolecular destruction complex, which we coined the term “destructosome’ (see Chapter 2). Besides the phosphorylation of the 20Rs, phosphorylation of other APC domains, such as the Axin binding SAMP repeats, had not been investigated before. Therefore, I also studied the phosphorylation of SAMP repeats and tested if it played a functionally significant role in APCs Wnt function. Similar to the 20Rs, I’ve shown that SAMP phosphorylation plays a previously uncharacterized role in APCs Wnt signaling function and proposed a novel idea of functional diversity among different SAMP repeats (see Chapter 3). As mentioned above, while studying the importance of 20R phosphorylation, I got interested in the idea of higher order destruction complex structures, or destructosome. This led me to think about the role of APC proteins in the assembly of this complex. Although it has been long appreciated that human APC can self-associate, the precise role of self-association in Wnt signaling hasn’t been explored in part due to the complexity of self-association in the vertebrate APC (vAPC) proteins. By using Drosophila APC2, I’ve identified a novel self-association domain (ASAD) and uncovered a new role for APC proteins in promoting the assembly and stability of the destructosome (see Chapter 4). I was interested in APC phosphorylation not only in the context of Wnt signaling but also in APCs cytoskeletal roles. One of the emerging themes in APCs role in regulating the actin cytoskeleton is its interaction with the formin Diaphanous (Dia). Previous work from our laboratory suggested that Drosophila APC2 and Dia cooperated during the formation of actin based structures during embryogenesis and this interaction was regulated. In order to understand this relationship further, I tested the role of phosphorylation as potential regulatory mechanism. My studies showed, in deed phosphorylation played a role in APCs activity in this context too (see Chapter 5). This study also revealed a potential cross talk between two pools of actin (linear and branched). In summary, studying APC, an exciting and highly complex protein, allowed me to think about many different biological questions from signaling to cytoskeleton in various developmental contexts. The findings from my Ph.D. research uncovered new aspects of APC biology, and showed how various regulatory mechanisms weather it’s phosphorylation or self-association, affect its functions, both during Wnt signaling and also in regulating the actin cytoskeleton. My studies will also help better understand the disease relevance of human APC proteins and provide novel insights.
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Lassiter, Rhonda Nicole Thomas. "The role of Wnt signaling in development of the ophthalmic trigeminal placode /." Diss., CLICK HERE for online access, 2006. http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/ETD/image/etd1637.pdf.
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