Date Approved

4-27-2017

Graduate Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Cell and Molecular Biology (M.S.)

Degree Program

Cell and Molecular Biology

First Advisor

Mark Staves

Second Advisor

Matthew Christians

Third Advisor

Suganthi Sridhar

Fourth Advisor

Osman Patel

Academic Year

2016/2017

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men in the United States. Metastasis plays a major role in patient prognosis and treatment options. One of the factors that influences metastasis is the activation of the c-Met signaling pathway. Activation of the growth factor c-Met results in cytoskeletal rearrangement, migration, and invasion. Previous studies have shown CD82 to act as an active metastatic suppressor in normal, healthy cells and is downregulated in various forms of cancer. When CD82 is re-expressed in cancer cells, the cells no longer express metastatic characteristics. The purpose of this study was to determine what effect, if any, re-expression of CD82 in prostate cancer cells had on c- Met mediated migratory characteristics. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Two prostate cancer cell lines were utilized for this project. PC3-29 cells have been engineered with a vector that expresses CD82 and PC3-5V carry an empty vector and were used as a control in this study. ANALYSES: Expression levels of CD82, c-Met, related migratory proteins, and the activation state of c-Met were determined via western blot analysis. Visualization of cytoskeletal changes was done by staining F-actin fibers and focal adhesions. RESULTS: Re-expression of CD82 in PC3-29 cells led to a decrease in c-Met activation. CD82 prevented the formation of F-actin fibers and focal adhesions needed for metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: CD82 directly impacts the activation of c-Met by preventing the phosphorylation of Rac1, inhibiting the cytoskeletal changes needed for metastasis to occur.

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