Pathological basis of isoform specific loss of HNF4a(P1) during the colorectal oncogenesis

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26860231
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Human pathology
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba
• Principal Investigator: Sugano Masato 筑波大学, 医学医療系, 講師 (40643606)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: HNF4a / HNF4a(P1) / 大腸癌 / 癌化 / 免疫染色 / オートファジー

Outline of Final Research Achievements

HNF4a is not only a critical transcription factor imposes endodermal phenotype on somatic cells, but it also plays a role as a master regulator of energy metabolism. Through this work, I found frequent and specific loss of splicing variant (specific isoform) of HNF4a (P1), especially from the very early stage of colorectal cancer, which suggested its involvement in colorectal carcinogenesis. Besides, along with ki-67 expression analysis reveals aberrant co-expression or vanishing pattern observed as early as a pre-cancerous lesion of high grade adenoma, which suggests breaking down of regulatory mechanism balancing HNF4a (P1) expression and cell cycle has some key-role in the development of colorectal cancer.

Free Research Field

人体病理学