Regulatory mechanisms for inflammatory responses and expression of cancer-associated glycosyltransferase genes by microenvironment factors, and their implications

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26460404
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Pathological medical chemistry
• Research Institution: Chubu University
• Principal Investigator: FURUKAWA Keiko 中部大学, 生命健康科学部, 教授 (50260732)
• Research Collaborator: TAKEUCHI Rika ; TAJIMA Orie ; FURUKAWA Koichi ; OHKAWA Yuki ; OHMI Yusuke ; ZHANG Pu ; Bhuiyan POBIUL H. ; ESAKI Nobutoshi ; HASHIMOTO Noboru ; KANEKO Kei ; SEO Yoichiro
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 糖鎖合成酵素遺伝子 / 酸性スフィンゴ糖脂質 / メラノサイト / メラノーマ / TNF / cAMP / IKK阻害剤

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We analyzed expression and regulatory mechanisms for glycosyltransferase genes responsible for ganglioside synthesis in normal melanocytes and melanoma cells. Consequently, the expression level of GD3 synthase gene was high in melanoma cells, although very low in melanocytes. We also found that addition of TNFα into the culture medium and elimination of cAMP from the culture medium resulted in up-regulation of GD3 synthase gene, suggesting that signals mediated via TNFα and cAMP oppositely regulate GD3 synthase gene expression in melanocytes.
On the other hand, when melanoma cells were treated by these factors, no fluctuation in the expression level of GD3 synthase gene, although GD3 synthase gene expression was remarkably decreased by treatment of IKK-inhibitor, Wedelolactone. These results suggested that ganglioside synthase genes are regulated in distinct manners between melanocytes and melanomas.

Free Research Field

生化学