The Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription-3 (Stat3) is a transcription factor that is required for transformation by a number of oncogenes, while a constitutively active form of Stat3 alone is sufficient to induce neoplastic transformation. It was previously demonstrated that cell to cell adhesion causes a dramatic increase in the activity of Stat3 in both normal and tumour cells. This hinted for the first time at the possibility that the role of Stat3 may differ upon cellular confluence. To examine such a mechanism, it is important to evaluate the effect of Stat3 downregulation at different time-points relative to confluence. To examine this, two different approaches for Stat3 downregulation were used: (1) the introduction of high levels of peptidomimetics analogs, which block the Stat3-SH2 domain by using a technique of in situ electroporation. (2) Treatment with two platinum compounds that inhibit Stat3 binding to activated receptors and DNA.
The results demonstrated that Stat3 downregulation in vSrc or TAg transformed mouse fibroblast cells or in breast carcinoma lines, induced apoptosis which was more pronounced post-confluence at the time of its peak activity. In contrast, in sparsely growing normal mouse fibroblasts, Stat3 inhibition induced merely a growth retardation. However, in densely growing normal fibroblasts, Stat3 inhibition induced apoptosis. At least in part, apoptosis induced by Stat3 inhibition was mediated by p53, as shown by the resistance to cell death by Stat3 downregulation in colon carcinoma cells, HCT116, where the p53 gene is ablated. Overall, our observations point to the possibility that constitutive activation of Stat3 may lead to tumourigenesis by downregulating wt-53 in cancers that do not have p53 mutations. As a result, targeting Stat3 in cancers with wt-p53 may be a promising therapeutic approach for restoring p53 function, thereby inducing p53-mediated apoptosis.
Next, we examined the effect of constitutively activated Stat3 as an oncogene. Stat3C expression in rat F111 fibroblasts induced anchorage independence, but to a lower degree compared to other oncogenes, such as vSrc. Surprisingly Stat3C expression increased gap junction intercellular communication, despite the fact that other oncogenes such as vSrc or vRas effectively block gap junctions. / Thesis (Ph.D, Pathology & Molecular Medicine) -- Queen's University, 2009-04-26 01:09:21.654
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:OKQ.1974/1819 |
| Date | 27 April 2009 |
| Creators | ANAGNOSTOPOULOU, AIKATERINI |
| Contributors | Queen's University (Kingston, Ont.). Theses (Queen's University (Kingston, Ont.)) |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 13638569 bytes, application/pdf |
| Rights | This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner. |
| Relation | Canadian theses |
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