Mechanisms on genesis of combined type small cell carcinoma; a study focusing on Notch signaling

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25460439
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Human pathology
• Research Institution: Kumamoto University
• Principal Investigator: Ito Takaaki 熊本大学, 生命科学研究部, 教授 (70168392)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): NIIMORI Kanako 熊本大学, 大学院生命科学研究部, 助教 (30457600) ; HASEGAWA Koki 京都薬科大学, 薬学部, 准教授 (50525798)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 小細胞肺癌 / 混合型 / Notchシグナル / エピジェネティクス / DNAメチル化 / ヒストン修飾

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Combined type of small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) has both small cell cancer and non-small cell carcinoma components such as adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, which are positive for NOTCH1 and negative for INSM1, one of neuroendocrine transcription factor. Mechanisims of NOTCH1 expression in the process of genesis of the combined type SCLC could be epigenetically regulated. NOTCH1-negative classical SCLC cell lines expressed NOTCH1 after trichostatin A treatment, and Chip assay showed that level of acetylated histone H3 surrounding Notch1 promoter region was low in them. Taken together, genesis of combined type SCLC requires NOTCH expression, which could be regulated by histone modification.

Free Research Field

病理学