Evaluation of radiation effect based on point mutation of BRAF gene

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K12202
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Risk sciences of radiation and chemicals
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Wada Youichiro 東京大学, アイソトープ総合センター, 教授 (10322033)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): KATSURA Mari 東京大学, アイソトープ総合センター, 特任助教 (30436571)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): ISHIZAKI Azusa 独立行政法人日本原子力研究開発機構, 研究員 (10558894) ; AKIMITSU Nobuyoshi 東京大学, アイソトープ総合センター, 教授 (40294962) ; WILLOX Ralph 東京大学, 数理科学, 准教授 (20361610)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: がん遺伝子

Outline of Final Research Achievements

BRAF V600E is likely a significant driving mutation in thyroid cancers, colorectal cancers and malignant melanomas. In this study, we have tried to develop a procedure to detect a single copy of point mutation, BRAF V600E among one hundred thousand copies to investigate the mechanisms of tumorigenesis. Using digital PCR system, we could determine the mutation in colon cancer cell line HCT116 treated with repeated high dose X-ray radiation, chronic low dose γ-ray radiation and Aristolochic acid. However, the frequencies of BRAF V600E were too small to determine whether they were caused by these treatments. Together, to investigate the formation of specific point mutation, we should further develop the procedure to analyze larger copy numbers than one hundred thousand and seek suitable biological conditions.

Free Research Field

放射線生物学