Targeting the epigenome, including the use of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, is a novel strategy for cancer chemoprevention. Sulforaphane (SFN), a compound found at high levels in broccoli and broccoli sprouts, is a potent inducer of Phase 2 detoxification enzymes and inhibits tumorigenesis in animal models. SFN also has a marked effect on cell cycle checkpoint controls and cell survival/apoptosis in various cancer cells, through mechanisms that are poorly understood. Based on the structure of known histone deacetylase inhibitors, it was hypothesized that SFN may possess HDAC inhibitory properties. Initial studies confirmed that, indeed, at physiologically-relevant concentrations, SFN inhibited HDAC activity in human colorectal cancer cells, with a concomitant increase in acetylated histones H3 and H4, induction of p21 expression, and increased acetylated histone H4 associated with the P21 promoter. A metabolite of SFN, SFN-Cysteine, was found to be the active HDAC inhibitor. Furthermore, in BPH-1, LnCaP, and PC-3 human prostate epithelial cells, SFN inhibited HDAC activity and increased acetylation of histones. SFN also induced p21 expression, with an increase in acetylated histone H4 associated with the P21 promoter in BPH-1 cells. The downstream effects of HDAC inhibition by SFN included induction of pro-apoptotic proteins and repression of anti-apoptotic proteins, and an increase in multi-caspase activity. Dietary SFN suppressed the growth of human prostate cancer PC-3 xenografts and inhibited HDAC activity in the xenografts, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), and prostates. In time-course studies, a single oral dose of SFN induced histone acetylation at 6 and 24 h in mouse colonic mucosa, and long-term dietary SFN treatment increased histone acetylation in the ileum, colon, PBMC, and prostates. Moreover, dietary SFN suppressed intestinal tumorigenesis significantly in Apc[superscrip min] mice, with an increase in acetylated histones detected in the normal-looking ileum and polyps and polyps from the colon. Overall, the data presented in this thesis support a novel mechanism for chemoprevention by SFN in vivo, through inhibition of histone deacetylase. The findings also imply that SFN will offer significant protection against at least two of the major cancer killers in the US, namely colon and prostate cancer. / Graduation date: 2005

Graduation date: 1995

Coibamide A is a methyl-stabilized cyclic depsipeptide with a lariat side chain that was isolated from a marine cyanobacterium as part of an International Cooperative Biodiversity Groups program based in Panama. Previous testing of this potent and selective growth-inhibitory agent in the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in vitro 60 human cell line panel revealed a "COMPARE-negative" profile indicative of a unique mechanism of action. Presented herein is a collection of studies characterizing the mechanism of action of coibamide A and cataloguing the cytotoxicities of putative coibamide A and related structures from efforts at its total synthesis. We report that coibamide A induces apoptotic and non-apoptotic cell death in human U87-MG and NCI-SF-295 glioblastoma cells, respectively, which can occur independently of a rapid and sustained mTOR-independent autophagic response. Loss of cell viability from coibamide A exposure was concentration-dependent and time-sensitive, characterized by extensive cytoplasmic vacuolization and an absence of apoptotic morphology and DNA fragmentation prior to cell rounding and detachment from the substratum. Coibamide A also induces a cytostatic effect mediated by a G1 phase specific cell cycle arrest and inhibits glioma cell invasion but not migration. Lastly, structure activity relationships suggest that linearization, loss of N-methylation and disjoining of the cyclic and side chain structures of coibamide A are not well-tolerated modifications to retain activity. / Graduation date: 2013 / Access restricted to the OSU Community at author's request from Jan. 8, 2013 - Jan. 8, 2014

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2001. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oregon State University, 2010. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 102-115). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2003. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Kentucky, 2004. / Title from document title page (viewed June 21, 2004). Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 76 p. : ill. Includes abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 69-74).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2003. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Ohio University, November, 2009. / Release of full electronic text on OhioLINK has been delayed until December 1, 2014. Title from PDF t.p. Includes bibliographical references.

published_or_final_version / Medical Sciences / Master / Master of Medical Sciences