Lo Kwok-Wai. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 171-199). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Dong Zhiqian. / "June 2003." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2003. / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

Uveal Melanoma (UM) is the most common malignant intra-ocular tumor in adults. Forty-five percent of UM patients develop metastasis within fifteen years of the initial diagnosis. Cutaneous Melanoma (CM) is a highly metastatic cancer that accounts for the majority of skin cancer deaths. Current treatments are not especially effective for the metastatic phase of the disease. Therefore, the identification of new molecular targets that can be exploited in the clinic are needed. / KISS1 is a putative human metastasis suppressor gene. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of KISS1 in melanoma and its potential value as a prognostic marker. / From results in vitro and in vivo we were able to characterize KISS1 in UM for the first time as well as its expression at the protein level, in CM. The correlation between KISS1 expression and UM survival rate suggests an important role for KISS1 as a prognostic marker in this tumor.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst. / Härtill 6 uppsatser.

No description available.

by Liu Chun Ki, Kevin. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 126-142). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgements --- p.ii / Table of contents --- p.iii / List of figures --- p.viii / List of tables --- p.x / List of abbreviations --- p.xi / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction Epstein-Barr Virus / Chapter 1.1 --- History --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Classification --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3 --- Virus and genome structure --- p.3 / Chapter 1.4 --- Epidemiology --- p.6 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- Prevalence of infection --- p.6 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- Modes of transmission --- p.7 / Chapter 1.5 --- Pathogenesis of EBV --- p.7 / Chapter 1.5.1 --- "Adsorption, penetration and dissemination" --- p.7 / Chapter 1.5.2 --- Lytic infection cycle --- p.8 / Chapter 1.5.3 --- Latent infection cycle --- p.9 / Chapter 1.5.4 --- Functions of the EBV-specific proteins associated with latent infection cycle proteins --- p.10 / Chapter 1.5.4.1 --- EBNA1 --- p.10 / Chapter 1.5.4.2 --- EBNA2 --- p.11 / Chapter 1.5.4.3 --- "EBNA 3A, 3B and 3C" --- p.11 / Chapter 1.5.4.4 --- EBNA LP --- p.12 / Chapter 1.5.4.5 --- LMP1 --- p.13 / Chapter 1.5.4.6 --- Characteristics of EBV LMP 2 gene --- p.14 / Chapter 1.5.4.7 --- Functions of LMP 2A --- p.15 / Chapter 1.5.4.8 --- Functions of LMP 2B --- p.18 / Chapter 1.6 --- Clinical significance of EBV --- p.20 / Chapter 1.6.1 --- Infectious mononucleosis (IM) --- p.20 / Chapter 1.6.2 --- Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) --- p.20 / Chapter 1.6.3 --- Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) --- p.21 / Chapter 1.6.4 --- Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) --- p.21 / Chapter 1.7 --- Immune response to EBV infection --- p.22 / Chapter 1.7.1 --- Humoral immune response --- p.22 / Chapter 1.7.2 --- Cellular immune response --- p.22 / Chapter 1.8 --- Diagnosis of EBV infection --- p.26 / Chapter 1.9 --- Treatment and prevention --- p.27 / Chapter 1.10 --- Nasopharygneal Carcinoma (NPC) --- p.28 / Chapter 1.10.1 --- Epidemiology --- p.28 / Chapter 1.10.2 --- Etiology --- p.28 / Chapter 1.10.2.1 --- Environmental factor associated with NPC --- p.30 / Chapter 1.10.2.2 --- Genetic factors associated with NPC --- p.31 / Chapter 1.10.2.3 --- Association of NPC and EBV --- p.31 / Chapter 1.10.3 --- Diagnosis ofNPC --- p.32 / Chapter 1.10.4 --- Treatment --- p.33 / Chapter 1.11 --- Objective of the project --- p.34 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Materials and Methods / Chapter 2.1 --- EBV-containing cell cultures --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2 --- Extraction of total RNA --- p.36 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Cell lysis --- p.36 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Protein digestion --- p.36 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- DNA digestion --- p.37 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Elution of total RNA --- p.37 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Purity and electrophoresis analysis of total RNA --- p.38 / Chapter 2.3 --- First strand cDNA synthesis --- p.38 / Chapter 2.4 --- PCR amplification of LMP 2 cDNA --- p.39 / Chapter 2.5 --- Isolation of the PCR amplified LMP 2 cDNA --- p.40 / Chapter 2.6 --- Purification of the PCR amplified LMP 2 cDNA --- p.41 / Chapter 2.7 --- Confirmation of the PCR amplified cDNA --- p.42 / Chapter 2.7.1 --- Nested PCR --- p.42 / Chapter 2.7.2 --- Restriction enzyme digestion --- p.44 / Chapter 2.8 --- Ligation of insert LMP 2 cDNA with vector --- p.45 / Chapter 2.9 --- Transformation of competent cells JM109 --- p.45 / Chapter 2.10 --- Screening of the recombinant clones --- p.47 / Chapter 2.11 --- Small scale purification of plasmid DNA --- p.47 / Chapter 2.12 --- Determination of the size of the insert DNA --- p.48 / Chapter 2.13 --- DNA sequencing --- p.48 / Chapter 2.13.1 --- The cycle sequencing reaction --- p.48 / Chapter 2.13.2 --- Preparation of the acrylamide gel and TBE buffer --- p.51 / Chapter 2.13.3 --- Running conditions of the electrophoresis --- p.52 / Chapter 2.13.4 --- "Processing, editing and exporting the sequences" --- p.52 / Chapter 2.14 --- Data analysis --- p.53 / Chapter 2.14.1 --- Sequence analysis --- p.53 / Chapter 2.14.2 --- Amino acid analysis --- p.53 / Chapter 2.14.3 --- Protein secondary structure analysis --- p.53 / Chapter 2.14.4 --- Hydrophobicity analysis --- p.54 / Chapter 2.14.5 --- Isoelectric point analysis --- p.54 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Results / Chapter 3.1 --- Cell Cultures --- p.55 / Chapter 3.2 --- Extraction of total RNA --- p.56 / Chapter 3.3 --- PCR amplification --- p.61 / Chapter 3.4 --- Isolation of PCR amplified LMP 2 cDNA --- p.62 / Chapter 3.5 --- Confirmation of the PCR amplified cDNA --- p.66 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Nested PCR --- p.66 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Restriction enzyme digestion --- p.71 / Chapter 3.6 --- Transformation and screening --- p.77 / Chapter 3.7 --- Extraction of plasmid DNA and its digestion with restriction enzyme --- p.78 / Chapter 3.8 --- DNA sequencing --- p.83 / Chapter 3.8.1 --- DNA sequence comparison --- p.84 / Chapter 3.9 --- Amino acid sequence homology --- p.89 / Chapter 3.9.1 --- Amino acid sequence comparison --- p.90 / Chapter 3.10 --- Hydrophobicity analysis --- p.92 / Chapter 3.10.1 --- Comparison of hydrophobicity of B95-8 derived LMP2 with GeneBank --- p.93 / Chapter 3.10.2 --- Comparison of hydrophobicity of CB 14022-derived LMP2 with GeneBank --- p.95 / Chapter 3.10.3 --- Comparison of hydrophobicity of Raji-derived LMP2 with GeneBank --- p.97 / Chapter 3.11 --- Protein secondary structure analysis --- p.100 / Chapter 3.11.1 --- Comparison of secondary structure of B95-8-derived LMP2 with GeneBank --- p.100 / Chapter 3.11.2 --- Comparison of secondary structure of CB 14022-derived LMP2 with GeneBank --- p.100 / Chapter 3.11.3 --- Comparison of secondary structure of Raji-derived LMP2 with GeneBank --- p.101 / Chapter 3.12 --- Isoelectric point analysis --- p.103 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Discussions / Chapter 4.1 --- Overall strategy for the cloning and sequencing of EBV LMP 2 gene --- p.106 / Chapter 4.2 --- Implications of the results obtained in sequencing --- p.107 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results interpretation --- p.108 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Cell culture --- p.108 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Extraction of total RNA --- p.108 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- PCR amplification --- p.109 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- Confirmation of the PCR amplified cDNAs using nested PCR --- p.109 / Chapter 4.3.5 --- Confirmation of the PCR amplified cDNAs using restriction enzyme digestion --- p.110 / Chapter 4.3.6 --- Ligation of EBV LMP 2 cDNA to pGEM-T Easy Vector --- p.111 / Chapter 4.3.7 --- Transformation and screening --- p.114 / Chapter 4.3.8 --- Extraction of plasmid DNA and digestion with restriction enzyme --- p.115 / Chapter 4.4 --- DNA sequencing and sequence homology --- p.116 / Chapter 4.5 --- Amino acid sequence homology --- p.117 / Chapter 4.6 --- Hydrophobicity analysis --- p.119 / Chapter 4.7 --- Protein secondary structure analysis --- p.120 / Chapter 4.8 --- Isoelectric point analysis --- p.122 / Chapter 4.9 --- Summary of results --- p.122 / Chapter 4.10 --- Conclusions --- p.124 / References --- p.126

Fan Chung-sze. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Acknowledgements --- p.i / Abstract --- p.ii / List of Tables --- p.vii / List of Figures --- p.viii / List of Abbreviations --- p.x / Table of Contents --- p.xi / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma --- p.1-1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Histology of NPC --- p.1-1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Etiological Factors --- p.1-2 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Genetic Changes in NPC --- p.1-5 / Chapter 1.2 --- Background of Present Study --- p.1-14 / Chapter 1.3 --- Aims of Study --- p.1-15 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Comparative Genomic Hybridization and Fluorescence In- Situ Hybridization / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.2-1 / Chapter 2.2 --- Fluorescence In-Situ Hybridization (FISH) --- p.2-2 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Principle of FISH --- p.2-2 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Applications of FISH --- p.2-2 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Advantages and Limitations --- p.2-5 / Chapter 2.3 --- Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH) --- p.2-7 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Principle of CGH --- p.2-7 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Applications of CGH --- p.2-8 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Advantages and Limitations --- p.2-10 / Chapter 2.4 --- Method of CGH --- p.2-13 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- CGH Probe Preparation --- p.2-13 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- CGH Template Preparation --- p.2-21 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Hybridization --- p.2-23 / Chapter 2.4.4 --- Post-hybridization --- p.2-23 / Chapter 2.4.5 --- Fluorescence Detection --- p.2-24 / Chapter 2.4.6 --- Image Acquisition and Analysis --- p.2-24 / Chapter 2.5 --- Method of Interphase FISH --- p.2-29 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- FISH Probe Preparation --- p.2-29 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- FISH Template Preparation --- p.2-29 / Chapter 2.5.3 --- Hybridization --- p.2-30 / Chapter 2.5.4 --- Post-hybridization --- p.2-30 / Chapter 2.5.5 --- Fluorescence Detection --- p.2-30 / Chapter 2.5.6 --- Scoring of FISH Signals --- p.2-31 / Chapter 2.5.7 --- Threshold Determination --- p.2-31 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- FISH Studies on NPC Biopsies Guided by CGH Information Derived from Cell Lines and Xenografts / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.3-1 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.3-3 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- CGH Analysis --- p.3-3 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Interphase FISH Analysis --- p.3-4 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Statistical Analysis --- p.3-7 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results / Chapter 3.3.1 --- CGH --- p.3-9 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Interphase FISH Analysis --- p.3-10 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Statistical Analysis --- p.3-11 / Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion --- p.3-27 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- CGH --- p.3-27 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Interphase FISH Analysis --- p.3-31 / Chapter 3.5 --- Summary of This Chapter --- p.3-36 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- CGH Studies on Universally Amplified DNA from Microdissected NPC Biopsies and Interphase FISH Analysis / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.4-1 / Chapter 4.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.4-4 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- CGH on Universally Amplified DNA --- p.4-4 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Interphase FISH Analysis --- p.4-6 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Statistical Analysis --- p.4-8 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results --- p.4-9 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- CGH on Universally Amplified DNA --- p.4-9 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Interphase FISH Analysis --- p.4-10 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Statistical Analysis --- p.4-11 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- Comparison of CGH and FISH Findings --- p.4-11 / Chapter 4.4 --- Discussions --- p.4-30 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- CGH Findings --- p.4-30 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Interphase FISH Analysis --- p.4-41 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- Comparison of CGH and FISH Findings --- p.4-43 / Chapter 4.5 --- Summary of This Chapter --- p.4-45 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Conclusion and Further Studies / Chapter 5.1 --- Conclusion --- p.5-1 / Chapter 5.2 --- Further Studies --- p.5-3 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Combination of Microdissection --- p.5-3 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Multicolor Karyotyping --- p.5-3 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Microarrays --- p.5-4 / References --- p.R-1

運用miRNA微陣列手段，我們篩選到一批在結直腸腫瘤內高表達和低表達的miRNA。其中miR-133a是在腫瘤中最顯著降低的miRNA之一， 但其在腫瘤的發生發展過程中的作用尚未可知，因此我們選擇miR-133a最為研究目標，論證其的生物學功能，分子機理，及其在結直腸癌中的靶分子。 / 我們首先在較大規模樣本中驗證miR-133a的低表達。定量PCR結果顯示，對比正常的癌旁組織，miR-133a在94例結直腸癌組織中顯著低表達（p < 0.001）。我們進一步分析miR-133a在9種常用的腫瘤細胞系內的表達情況。對比正常的直腸組織，miR-133a在9種常用的結直腸細胞系內的表達均明顯下降。在腫瘤發生發展過程中，癌細胞趨向於降低具有抑癌功能的基因的表達。因此我們推測miR-133a是一個潛在的腫瘤抑制miRNA。 / 為了論證我們的假設，我們首先選取miR-133a低表達的結直腸癌細胞系HCT116和LoVo最為研究模型，將miR-133a在這兩種細胞系內過表達。升高的miR-133a可以抑制腫瘤細胞生長（p < 0.01和p < 0.05），抑制腫瘤克隆集落形成（p < 0.01）。我們進一步發現過表達miR-133a可以抑制裸鼠體內腫瘤的生長（p < 0.05）。細胞週期分析顯示miR-133a抑制細胞生長的能力表現為誘導腫瘤細胞週期阻滯於G0/G1期。細胞週期特異性CDK抑制蛋白p21和p27對於細胞週期調節十分關鍵。基於此項觀察，我們進一步分析了p21和p27的表達。Western-blot實驗證實過表達miR-133a可以促進HCT116和LoVo細胞內p21和p27的蛋白上調。但miR-133a在p53突變型的HT29過表達後並沒有引起p21的變化。通過對比p53野生型和突變性細胞系，我們發現p53對於miR-133a誘導p21是十分關鍵的。為了證明miR-133a可以引起p53的活性，我們通過啟動子螢光報告實驗證實，miR-133a不僅可以促進p53結合DNA 的能力，而且可以引起p21啟動子的活性。其次，我們發現在p53野生型細胞株HCT116中，轉染si-p53可以拮抗miR-133a誘導p21。我們通過蛋白降解實驗發現，miR-133a可以延長p53蛋白的半衰期。 / 基於以上實驗事實，我們推測miR-133a誘導p21是通過穩定p53蛋白來實現的。通過數個miRNA靶基因預測軟體，我們判斷RFFL可能是miR-133a發揮效力的直接靶基因。RFFL是E3連接酶，負責非磷酸化p53和磷酸化p53的降解。在RFFL的3側非翻譯區有一個進化保守的miR-133a識別序列。我們克隆此段序列到螢光素酶基因的3側非翻譯區，並進行雙螢光素酶報告基因檢測。測試發現miR-133a可以直接結合到RFFL的此段序列上，並抑制前段基因的翻譯。體外實驗證實，過表達miR-133a可以減少HCT116和HT29細胞內的RFFL蛋白，但並不影響其mRNA。過表達RFFL可以降低p53的表達，反之降低RFFL的蛋白表達，可以提高p53和p21蛋白。上述實驗均有助於證實miR-133a是通過抑制RFFL來提高p21的表達，進而抑制細胞週期。 / 我們也發現miR-133a具有增敏抗癌藥物的效力。單獨轉染miR-133a並不能顯著引發細胞凋亡，而聯合使用miR-133a及抗癌藥物doxorubicin，或者Oxaliplatin都可以顯著增強細胞的早期凋亡。 / 基於上述實驗結果，我們證實miR-133a是一個抑制腫瘤生長的miRNA，其機制可能是通過抑制RFFL蛋白的表達，並啟動p53/p21信號通路引起的。我們的實驗說明miR-133a可以對抗腫瘤藥物起到增敏的作用。 / We found that miR-133a was significantly down-regulated in colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues using miRNA array. However, the role of miR-133a in CRC is largely unknown. We sought to clarify its biologic function, molecular basis, and target gene in CRC. The down-regulation of miR-133a was verified in 94 primary CRC tumours compared with the matched adjacent normal tissues (p < 0.001) and in 9 human colon cancer cell lines. Ectopic expression of miR-133a in colon cancer cell lines (HCT116 and LoVo) significantly suppressed cell growth as evidenced by cell viability assay (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05), and colony formation assay (p < 0.01). Cell cycle analysis revealed that miR-133a caused an increased proportion of cells arrested at G0/G1 phase in HCT116 and LoVo, concomitant with the up-regulation of key G1 phase regulators CDK inhibitors p21 and p27. Promoter-luciferase activity assays indicated that miR-133a markedly increased p53 binding activity and induced p21 transcription. We further revealed that miR-133a decelerated p53 degradation, suggesting that miR-133a was an important positive modulator of the p53/p21 pathway. In silico search showed that the 3’UTR of ring finger and FYVE-like domain containing E3 ubiquitin protein ligase (RFFL), an E3 ubiquitin protein ligase targeting p53 for degradation, contains an evolutionarily conserved miR-133a binding site. Co-transfection with miR-133a repressed RFFL-3’UTR reporter activity for up to 53% (p < 0.01) and remarkably reduced RFFL protein level, indicating that miR-133a directly bound to RFFL mRNA and inhibited RFFL translation. Moreover, miR-133a sensitized colon cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents (doxorubicin and oxaliplatin) by enhancing apoptosis (p < 0.01) and inhibiting cell proliferation (p < 0.001), adding further weight to the potential significance of miR-133a as a tumour suppressor in inhibiting CRC. In conclusion, miR-133a serves as a functional tumour suppressor in CRC through direct inhibition of the oncogenic RFFL and induction of the p53/p21 pathway. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Dong, Yujuan. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 139-152). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese. / ABSTRACT --- p.I / ACKNOWLEDGMENTS --- p.VI / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.VII / LIST OF TABLES --- p.IX / ABBREVIATIONS --- p.X / TABLES OF CONTENT --- p.XIII / Chapter CHAPTER ONE --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Colorectal cancer --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Epidemiology --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Etiology --- p.4 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- CRC prevention, screening and therapy --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2 --- microRNA (miRNA) --- p.13 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Biogenesis of miRNA --- p.13 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Diagnostic value of miRNAs in CRC --- p.16 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Prognostic value of miRNAs in CRC --- p.25 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- Predictive value of miRNAs for treatment response in CRC --- p.28 / Chapter 1.2.5 --- miRNA-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms and CRC --- p.29 / Chapter 1.2.6 --- miRNAs and their function in CRC genesis --- p.33 / Chapter 1.2.7 --- Future perspective of miRNAs in CRC --- p.41 / Chapter 1.3 --- Hypothesis and objectives --- p.41 / Chapter CHAPER TWO --- METHODOLGY --- p.43 / Chapter 2.1 --- Cell cultures --- p.43 / Chapter 2.2 --- Patients and clinical specimens --- p.43 / Chapter 2.3 --- miRNA extraction from tissue and cell --- p.46 / Chapter 2.4 --- Micro-dissection and RNA extraction from paraffin sections --- p.47 / Chapter 2.5 --- Real-time quantitative PCR for miRNA microarray --- p.48 / Chapter 2.6 --- miRNA expression analysis --- p.48 / Chapter 2.7 --- mRNA expression analysis --- p.49 / Chapter 2.8 --- RNA interference --- p.52 / Chapter 2.9 --- Colony formation assay --- p.52 / Chapter 2.10 --- MTT cell viability assay --- p.53 / Chapter 2.11 --- Flow cytometry for cell cycle analysis --- p.53 / Chapter 2.12 --- Flow cytometry for cell apoptosis analysis --- p.54 / Chapter 2.13 --- Protein degradation assay --- p.54 / Chapter 2.14 --- Western blot analysis --- p.55 / Chapter 2.15 --- Immunofluorescence staining --- p.56 / Chapter 2.16 --- Plasmids construction --- p.58 / Chapter 2.16.1 --- pRFFL plasmid --- p.58 / Chapter 2.16.2 --- pMIR-RFFL-3’UTR and pMIR-RFFLmut-3’UTR --- p.58 / Chapter 2.17 --- Construction of stable cell lines --- p.59 / Chapter 2.18 --- Dual-luciferase reporter assay for p53 signaling pathway --- p.61 / Chapter 2.19 --- Dual-luciferase reporter assay for RFFL 3’UTR and miR-133a binding activity --- p.62 / Chapter 2.20 --- 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-dC) treatment --- p.62 / Chapter 2.21 --- Tumour xenografts in nude mice model (miRNA intratumoural injection model) --- p.63 / Chapter 2.22 --- Tumour xenografts in nude mice model (miRNA stable cell line subcutaneous injection) --- p.64 / Chapter 2.23 --- Statistical analysis --- p.64 / Chapter CHAPTER THREE --- RESULTS --- p.66 / Chapter 3.1 --- Identification of differentially expressed miRNAs in CRC --- p.66 / Chapter 3.2 --- miR-133a is down-regulated in primary human CRC and colon cancer cell lines --- p.69 / Chapter 3.3 --- Ectopic expression of miR-133a inhibits tumourigenic properties of CRC cells --- p.75 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- miR-133a suppresses cell viability and colony formation --- p.75 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- miR-133a inhibits tumour growth in nude mice --- p.78 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- miR-133a suppresses cell cycle progression --- p.81 / Chapter 3.4 --- G0/G1 phase arrest by miR-133a is mediated through up-regulation of CDKN1A and CDKN1B --- p.83 / Chapter 3.5 --- miR-133a activates p53/p21 pathway through stabilization of p53 protein --- p.88 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- miR-133a induces p21 expression in a p53 wild-type cells --- p.88 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- miR-133a induces p21 promoter transcription activity and p53 binding activity --- p.90 / Chapter 3.5.3 --- Silence of p53 abolished miR-133a induced p21 --- p.92 / Chapter 3.5.4 --- miR-133a increases p53 activity through increase of p53 protein stability --- p.95 / Chapter 3.5.5 --- miR-133a has no effect on c-Myc level --- p.98 / Chapter 3.6 --- miR-133a increases p53 protein level by directly down-regulating RFFL --- p.100 / Chapter 3.7 --- Knock-down of RFFL inhibits cancer cell growth --- p.105 / Chapter 3.8 --- miR-133a sensitized CRC cells to chemotherapeutic drugs treatment --- p.110 / Chapter 3.9 --- Pharmacological demethylation restores miR-133a expression in CRC cells --- p.117 / Chapter 3.10 --- Association between miR-133a expression in tumour and clinicopathological characteristics of CRC patients --- p.119 / Chapter 3.11 --- Validation of other dysregulated miRNAs in CRC --- p.123 / Chapter CHAPTER FOUR --- DISCUSSION --- p.128 / Chapter 4.1 --- Biological role of miR-133a as a tumour suppressor --- p.128 / Chapter 4.2 --- p53/p21 pathway is a critical mediator of miR-133a in CRC --- p.129 / Chapter 4.3 --- Functional significance of RFFL in miR-133a induced p53/p21 signaling --- p.131 / Chapter 4.4 --- Clinical potential of miR-133a in CRC --- p.133 / Chapter 4.5 --- Other dysregulated miRNA --- p.136 / Chapter 4.6 --- Limitations and improvements of the study --- p.136 / Chapter 4.7 --- Conclusions --- p.137 / REFERENCE --- p.139 / PUBLICATIONS --- p.153

Xiong, Lei. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2013. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 79-97). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts also in Chinese.

Wong Wai Yin. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Acknowledgement --- p.i / Abstract --- p.iii / Abbreviation --- p.vii / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1-1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Classification of common epithelial ovarian tumors --- p.1-2 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Serous tumors --- p.1-4 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Mucinous tumors --- p.1-5 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Endometrioid tumors --- p.1-6 / Chapter 1.1.4 --- Clear cell tumors --- p.1-6 / Chapter 1.1.5 --- Cancer staging --- p.1-7 / Chapter 1.1.6 --- Tumor grading --- p.1-8 / Chapter 1.2 --- Etiology --- p.1-10 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Factors associated with increased risks --- p.1-10 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Factors associated with decreased risks --- p.1-12 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Other factors --- p.1-13 / Chapter 1.3 --- Understanding of progression of ovarian carcinoma --- p.1-13 / Chapter 1.4 --- Current screening test for ovarian cancer --- p.1-15 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- Transvaginal utrasound --- p.1-15 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- Serum tumor markers --- p.1-16 / Chapter 1.5 --- Molecular basis of ovarian cancer --- p.1-18 / Chapter 1.5.1 --- Loss of heterozygosity --- p.1-18 / Chapter 1.5.2 --- Microsatellite instability --- p.1-19 / Chapter 1.5.3 --- Oncogenes --- p.1-19 / Chapter 1.5.4 --- Tumor suppressor genes --- p.1-21 / Chapter 1.6 --- Microarray gene expression profiling analysis --- p.1-25 / Chapter 1.6.1 --- Princeple of DNA micorarray --- p.1-26 / Chapter 1.6.2 --- Types of microarray --- p.1-29 / Chapter 1.7 --- Gene expression profiling of ovarian cancer --- p.1-29 / Chapter 1.7.1 --- Up-regulated genes in ovarian cancer --- p.1-30 / Chapter 1.7.2 --- Down-regulated genes in ovarian cancer --- p.1-32 / Chapter 1.8 --- Project aims --- p.1-35 / Chapter CHPATER 2 --- MATERIALS AND METHODS --- p.2-1 / Chapter 2.1 --- Materials --- p.2-1 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Patients --- p.2-1 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Ovarian tissue specimen --- p.2-1 / Chapter 2.2 --- Methods --- p.2-2 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Preparation of OCT-embedded Specimen Sections --- p.2-2 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Microdissection of Tumor Cells from Specimen Sections --- p.2-3 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Disruption of normal ovarian frozen tissue --- p.2-3 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Total RNA Extraction --- p.2-3 / Chapter 2.2.4.1 --- RNA Isolation --- p.2-4 / Chapter 2.2.4.2 --- DNase I Digestion --- p.2-4 / Chapter 2.2.4.3 --- RNA Cleanup and Elution --- p.2-5 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Oligonucleotide Microarray --- p.2-6 / Chapter 2.2.5.1 --- Two-Cycle cDNA Synthesis --- p.2-6 / Chapter 2.2.5.2 --- Synthesis of Biotin-Labeled cRNA --- p.2-9 / Chapter 2.2.5.3 --- Fragmenting the cRNA for Target Preparation --- p.2-9 / Chapter 2.2.5.4 --- Target Hybridization --- p.2-10 / Chapter 2.2.5.5 --- "Array Washing, Staining, and Scanning" --- p.2-11 / Chapter 2.2.5.6 --- Statistical Analysis of Microarray Data --- p.2-11 / Chapter 2.2.6 --- Quantitative Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction --- p.2-13 / Chapter 2.2.6.1 --- Primer and Probe --- p.2-13 / Chapter 2.2.6.2 --- Reverse-transcription --- p.2-13 / Chapter 2.2.6.3 --- Plate Setup --- p.2-14 / Chapter 2.2.6.4 --- Fluocogenic PCR --- p.2-14 / Chapter 2.2.6.5 --- Statistical Analysis of Quantitative Real-time PCR Data --- p.2-15 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- RESULTS --- p.3-1 / Chapter 3.1 --- Microarray gene expression data analysis --- p.3-1 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Unsupervised Gene Selection --- p.3-1 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Supervised Gene Selection --- p.3-3 / Chapter 3.1.2.1 --- Gene expression profiles distinguish Serous Epithelial Ovarian Tumor from Normal Ovary and identifydifferentially expressed genes --- p.3-3 / Chapter 3.1.2.2 --- Gene expression profiles distinguish Advanced Stage Serous Epithelial Ovarian Tumor from Early Stage Serous Epithelial Ovarian Tumor and identify differentially expressed genes --- p.3-22 / Chapter 3.1.2.3 --- Gene expression profiles distinguish Metastatic Serous Epithelial Ovarian Tumor from Primary Serous Epithelial Ovarian Tumor and identify differentially expressed genes --- p.3-24 / Chapter 3.2 --- Validation of microarray data by quantitative Real-time PCR --- p.3-27 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Fold change of candidate genes --- p.3-27 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Correlation between microarray and quantitative real-time PCR results --- p.3-29 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Comparison of the expression of candidates genes among the different histological types of epithelial ovarian tumors --- p.3-32 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- DISCUSSION --- p.4-1 / Chapter 4.1 --- Global gene expression profiling using oligonucleotide microarray --- p.4-1 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- "Sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility of the Affymetrix GeneChip® microarray" --- p.4-1 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Microarray analysis software --- p.4-3 / Chapter 4.1.2.1 --- DNA-Chip Analyzer software --- p.4-3 / Chapter 4.1.2.2 --- Comparison of statistical methods for analysis of Affymetrix GeneChip® microarray data --- p.4-5 / Chapter 4.2 --- Validation of microarray data --- p.4-7 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Advantages of using real-time PCR for mRNA quantification --- p.4-8 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Comparison of mRNA gene expression by RT-PCR and DNA microarray --- p.4-9 / Chapter 4.3 --- Gene expression profiling in serous ovarian cancer compared with normal ovarian epithelium --- p.4-10 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets in ovarian cancer --- p.4-12 / Chapter 4.4 --- Gene expression profiling in advanced serous ovarian cancer compared with early ovarian cancer --- p.4-16 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Potential prognostic markers or therapeutic targets in advanced ovarian cancer --- p.4-17 / Chapter 4.5 --- Gene expression profiling in metastatic cancer compared with primary ovarian cancer --- p.4-22 / Chapter 4.5.1 --- Potential predictive markers or therapeutic targets in metastatic cancer of ovary origin --- p.4-23 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- CONCLUSIONS --- p.5-1 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- FUTURE PROSPECT --- p.6-1 / REFERENCES --- p.R-1