Transcriptional regulatory protein NAC-1 and its downstream genes as therapeutic targets for the treatment of pancreatic cancer

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25893136
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Digestive surgery
• Research Institution: Shimane University
• Principal Investigator: NAKAYAMA Naomi 島根大学, 医学部, 特別協力研究員 (60713188)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): URANO Takeshi ; KATO Hiroaki
• Project Period (FY): 2013-08-30 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: がん関連転写制御因子 / 膵がん / NAC-1

Outline of Final Research Achievements

NAC1 is a BTB/POZ-domain transcription factor. It is overexpressed in ovarian serous carcinoma and NAC1 knock-down resulted in the apoptosis of ovarian cancer cell lines and rescued their sensitivity to chemotherapy, suggesting that NAC1 may be a potential therapeutic target. In this study, we elucidated that 1) NAC1 binds DNA through its BEN domain, 2) identification of the consensus DNA-binding sequence of NAC1, and 3) NAC1 forms a nuclear protein complex capable of modulating gene expression with an apparent molecular weight of 350-450 kDa.
To conquer pancreatic cancer, further analysis requires to find out true downstream genes of NAC1.

Free Research Field

腫瘍医学