Lou, Pak Kin. / Thesis (M.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 136-170). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgements --- p.v / Table of Contents --- p.vi / List of Figures --- p.x / List of Tables --- p.xiii / List of Publications --- p.xv / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1. --- Aims of Study --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2. --- Literature Review --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2.1. --- Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2.1.1. --- Overview --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2.1.2. --- Histopathology --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2.1.3. --- Epidemiology --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2.1.4. --- Etiology --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2.1.4.1. --- Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Latent Infection --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2.1.4.2. --- Environmental Factors --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2.1.4.3. --- Genetic Factors --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2.1.5. --- Molecular Pathogenesis --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.1.5.1. --- Chromosomal Alterations --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.1.5.2. --- NPC-associated Tumour Suppressor Genes --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.1.5.3. --- NPC-associated Oncogenes --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2.2. --- Epstein-Barr Virus --- p.9 / Chapter 1.2.2.1. --- Overview --- p.9 / Chapter 1.2.2.2. --- Lytic and Latent Infection of EBV --- p.9 / Chapter 1.2.2.3. --- EBV Latency Programs and Associated --- p.10 / Malignancies --- p.11 / Chapter 1.2.2.4. --- The Role of EBV in NPC --- p.12 / Chapter 1.2.3. --- NF-kB Signalling Pathways --- p.12 / Chapter 1.2.3.1. --- Overview --- p.12 / Chapter 1.2.3.2. --- Pathway Components --- p.12 / Chapter 1.2.3.2.1. --- NF-kB Subunits --- p.16 / Chapter 1.2.3.2.2. --- Inhibitors of kB (IkBs) --- p.16 / Chapter 1.2.3.2.3. --- IkB Kinases (IKKs) --- p.17 / Chapter 1.2.3.3. --- NF-kB Activation and Signalling --- p.17 / Chapter 1.2.3.3.1. --- The Canonical Pathway --- p.18 / Chapter 1.2.3.3.2. --- The Non-canonical Pathway --- p.18 / Chapter 1.2.3.3.3. --- Physiological Functions of NF-kB --- p.19 / Chapter 1.2.3.4. --- NF-kB Signalling and Tumourigenesis --- p.20 / Chapter 1.2.3.4.1. --- Oncogenic Activation of NF-kB in Hematological Malignancies --- p.20 / Chapter 1.2.3.4.2. --- Oncogenic Activation of NF-kB in Solid and Epithelial Tumours --- p.22 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Material and Methods --- p.22 / Chapter 2.1. --- Tumour Specimens --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2. --- NPC Tumour Lines and Immortalized NP Cell Lines --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2.1. --- Cell Lines --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2.2. --- Xenografts --- p.27 / Chapter 2.3. --- DNA Sequence Analysis --- p.27 / Chapter 2.3.1. --- Genomic DNA Extraction --- p.27 / Chapter 2.3.2. --- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) --- p.28 / Chapter 2.3.3. --- DNA Sequencing --- p.32 / Chapter 2.4. --- RNA Expression Analysis --- p.32 / Chapter 2.4.1. --- Total RNA Extraction and Reverse Transcription --- p.33 / Chapter 2.4.2. --- Quantitative Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (QRT-PCR) --- p.35 / Chapter 2.5. --- Protein Expression Analysis --- p.35 / Chapter 2.5.1. --- Total Protein Extraction --- p.35 / Chapter 2.5.2. --- Nuclear and Cytoplasmic Protein Isolation --- p.36 / Chapter 2.5.3. --- Western Blotting --- p.39 / Chapter 2.6. --- Immunohistochemical Staining --- p.41 / Chapter 2.7. --- Statistical Analysis --- p.41 / Chapter 2.8. --- Immunoprecipitation --- p.43 / Chapter 2.9. --- Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA) and Supershift Assay --- p.44 / Chapter 2.10. --- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) --- p.45 / Chapter 2.11. --- Plasmid Preparation --- p.45 / Chapter 2.11.1. --- Plasmids --- p.45 / Chapter 2.11.2. --- Bacterial Transformation and Plasmid DNA Extraction --- p.46 / Chapter 2.12. --- Transfections --- p.46 / Chapter 2.12.1. --- Transient Transfection --- p.46 / Chapter 2.12.2. --- Stable Transfection --- p.47 / Chapter 2.13. --- Immunofluorescence --- p.47 / Chapter 2.14. --- Cell Proliferation and Viability Analysis --- p.47 / Chapter 2.15. --- Small Interfering RNA (siRNA) Knockdown --- p.49 / Chapter 2.16. --- Expression Microarray --- p.49 / Chapter 2.16.1. --- Agilent Oligonucleotide Microarray --- p.50 / Chapter 2.16.2. --- Data Analysis --- p.51 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Activation of NF-kB Signals in NPC --- p.51 / Chapter 3.1. --- Introduction --- p.52 / Chapter 3.2. --- Results --- p.52 / Chapter 3.2.1. --- Expression Pattern of NF-kB Subunits in NPC Tumour Lines --- p.55 / Chapter 3.2.2. --- Distinct NF-kB Complexes in NPC Tumour Lines --- p.60 / Chapter 3.2.3. --- Expression of NF-kB Subunits in NPC Primary Tumours --- p.67 / Chapter 3.3. --- Discussion / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Alterations of NF-kB Components in NPC --- p.71 / Chapter 4.1. --- Introduction --- p.72 / Chapter 4.2. --- Results --- p.72 / Chapter 4.2.1. --- Homozygous Deletion of IicBa and TRAF3 in NPC Tumour Lines --- p.76 / Chapter 4.2.2. --- Mutation of TRAF2 and A20 in NPC Tumour Lines / Chapter 4.2.3. --- Aberrant Expression of Multiple NF-kB Signalling Components in NPC Tumour Lines --- p.80 / Chapter 4.2.4. --- Expression of NF-kB Signalling Components in NPC --- p.85 / Primary Tumour --- p.92 / Chapter 4.3. --- Discussion --- p.99 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Identification of Downstream Targets for NPC-associated NF-kB Signalling --- p.99 / Chapter 0.1. --- Introduction --- p.99 / Chapter 0.2. --- Results --- p.100 / Chapter 0.2.1. --- Target Genes Modulated by p50 --- p.100 / Chapter 0.2.2. --- Functional Annotation of p50 Target Genes --- p.105 / Chapter 0.2.3. --- Target Genes Modulated by RelB --- p.105 / Chapter 0.2.4. --- Functional Annotation of RelB Target Genes --- p.105 / Chapter 0.2.5. --- Functional Annotation of Genes Modulated by both p50 and RelB --- p.111 / Chapter 0.3. --- Discussion --- p.118 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Functional Role of TRAF3 Inactivation in NPC --- p.118 / Chapter 0.1. --- Introduction --- p.118 / Chapter 0.2. --- Results --- p.118 / Chapter 0.2.1. --- Effect of TRAF3 Restoration on NF-kB Activity --- p.119 / Chapter 0.2.2. --- Effect of TRAF3 Expression on Cell Proliferation --- p.123 / Chapter 0.2.3. --- TRAF3 Expression Modulates Interferon Transcription in NPC Cells --- p.128 / Chapter 0.3. --- Discussion / Chapter Chapter 7 --- General Discussion --- p.132 / Chapter Chapter 8 --- Conclusion / Chapter Chapter 9 --- References / Appendix --- p.136

Wong, Ho Ting. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 66-77). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Acknowledgement --- p.i / List of abbreviations --- p.ii / List of tables and figures --- p.iv / Abstract in English --- p.vi / Abstract in Chinese --- p.viii / Table of content --- p.x / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Literature review / Chapter 1.1 --- Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and treatments --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- EBV and NF-kB signaling in NPC / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Role of EBV and NF-kB in NPC --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- NF-kB signaling in cancer --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- NF-kB activation in NPC --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.3.1 --- NF-kB activation by LMP1 --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2.3.2 --- NF-kB and LMP2A --- p.10 / Chapter 1.2.3.3 --- NF-kB activation by non-viral factors --- p.10 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- NF-kB target genes in NPC --- p.11 / Chapter 1.3 --- NF-kB targeting / Chapter 1.3.1 --- NF-kB targeting agents --- p.14 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- "DHMEQ, a novel blocker of NF-kB Transactivation" --- p.15 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Aim of study and Research plan --- p.18 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Materials and Methods / Chapter 3.1 --- Cell lines and Reagents --- p.20 / Chapter 3.2 --- Cell viability assay --- p.21 / Chapter 3.3 --- Cell apoptosis detection / Chapter 3.3.1 --- PARP cleavage --- p.22 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- DNA fragmentation --- p.22 / Chapter 3.4 --- Cell cycle analysis --- p.22 / Chapter 3.5 --- Transwell migration or Matrigel invasion assay --- p.23 / Chapter 3.6 --- Soft agar colony formation assay --- p.24 / Chapter 3.7 --- Drug treatment for western blotting --- p.25 / Chapter 3.8 --- "Protein extraction and quantification, SDS-PAGE and western blotting" / Chapter 3.8.1 --- Protein extraction and quantification --- p.25 / Chapter 3.8.2 --- SDS-PAGE and western blotting --- p.26 / Chapter 3.9 --- Fractionation --- p.28 / Chapter 3.10 --- NF-kB transcriptional activity assay / Chapter 3.10.1 --- Construction of NF-kB reporter system --- p.29 / Chapter 3.10.2 --- Luciferase assay --- p.29 / Chapter 3.11 --- Statistical Analysis --- p.30 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Results / Chapter 4.1 --- Anti-tumor activity of DHMEQ in NPC / Chapter 4.1.1 --- Growth inhibition in NPC cell lines --- p.31 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Apoptotic induction in NPC cell lines --- p.35 / Chapter 4.1.3 --- Cell cycle arrest in NPC cell lines --- p.38 / Chapter 4.1.4 --- Inhibition of migration and invasive behavior of NPC cell lines --- p.38 / Chapter 4.1.5 --- Abrogation of soft agar colony formation ability of NPC cell lines --- p.43 / Chapter 4.2 --- Mechanistic study of DHMEQ in NPC / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Blockade of p65 nuclear translocation --- p.48 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Attenuation of NF-kB transcriptional activity --- p.48 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Downregulation of NF-kB target genes --- p.53 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Discussion --- p.54 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Summary --- p.60 / Chapter Chapter 7 --- Future Study --- p.63 / Reference List --- p.66 / Appendix / Chapter Appendix 1 --- Construction of NF-kb report plasm id --- p.78 / Chapter Appendix 2 --- Wound healing assay --- p.86 / Chapter Appendix 3 --- Reverse-phase protein Array --- p.88

published_or_final_version / Anaesthesiology / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Biochemistry / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

TAL-1, ectopically expressed in 60% of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) patients, may contribute to poor chemotherapy response. This research sought to determine if TAL-1 influences expression of proteins involved in the NF-kB signaling pathway and thus, resistance to cell death. NF-kB, IKKy, and TRAF-2 expression levels were found to be TAL-1 dependent. Cell death levels were higher in staurosporine-treated cells compared to tumor necrosis factor a-treated or dual-treated cells. TAL-1, NF-kB, IKKy, and TRAF-2 expression levels were elevated in tumor necrosis factor a-treated cells and reduced in staurosporine-treated or dual treated cells compared to untreated cells. These results suggest TAL-1 influences expression of proteins involved in the NF-kB signaling pathway, thus inducing an anti-apoptotic response in the cell. / Department of Biology

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2000. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains ix, 70 p. : ill. (some col.). Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 63-68).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2005. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 95 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 82-95).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2006. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains x, 202 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Recombinant preparation of TEAD transcription factor (abstract) The TEAD family transcription factors play an important role during devolopment of organisms, where their main purpose is to regulate organ size by activating expression of proteins involved in cell growth and differentiation and apoptosis inhibition. TEAD proteins activity is regulated by signalling pathways and interactions with coactivators. Disregulation of these mechanisms can lead to development of tumors, which is the reason why TEAD proteins became an interesting target for development of new anticancer drugs based on inhibiting their activity. There are several possibilities how to inhibit activity of a transcription factor including blocking its bond to DNA. To design a new drug that blocks transcription factors binding to DNA the structural basis of interaction of these two molecules has to be known first. In this thesis the DNA binding domain of human protein TEAD1 was prepared using the technique of recombinant expression in bacteria E. coli. Suitable conditions of protein production were found and the DNA binding domain of TEAD1 protein was purified so it will be possible to use it for structural analysis of its intraction with DNA.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / SIMPL is a transcriptional co-activator that alters the activity of transcription factor, NF-κB. In response to pathogens, cytokines such as Interleukin-1 (IL-1) and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) signal through the IL-1 and TNF-α receptors, respectively, which are found on various cell types. Activation of these receptors can result in the nuclear localization of NF-κB where it enables the transcription of several different genes key in the innate immune response. Endogenous co-localization of the SIMPL protein with NF-κB in response to these same cytokine signals has yet to be demonstrated. Polyclonal antibody generated against a truncated version of the SIMPL protein was purified from the sera obtained from immunized rabbits using affinity chromatography. The antibody was found to have a high specificity for both the native and denatured form of the protein as demonstrated by the lack of nonspecific bands observed in immunoprecipitations and Western blotting. The antibody was utilized in immunofluorescence experiments on mouse endothelial cells that were either unstimulated or were stimulated (IL-1 or TNF-α). In the absence of cytokine, SIMPL was localized in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus as opposed to NF-κB which was almost exclusively localized in the cytoplasm. In the presence of IL-1, the concentration of SIMPL in the nucleus was increased, and in the presence of TNF-α, the concentration of SIMPL in the nucleus was even greater. Results of this study identified future routes for SIMPL antibody isolation as well as to demonstrate that endogenous SIMPL protein nuclear localization may not be solely dependent upon TNF-α signaling.