Similarities between tumours and embryonic trophoblast invasive properties led to the investigation of cell surface molecules whose function may overlap. Murine monoclonal antibodies directed against human placental syncytiotrophoblast previously identified a novel protein, ST4, which is a 72kDa cell surface glycoprotein. 5T4 protein expression on colorectal, gastric and ovarian carcinomas is associated with a poorer clinical outcome in these patients. It is hypothesised that 5T4 is required by cells undergoing major structural changes, with over-expression of 5T4 linked to a more motile cellular phenotype. Expression of cell surface 5T4 antigen has been shown to be an early marker of embryonic stem (ES) cell differentiation. Furthermore, cell surface ST4 antigen often displays reciprocal expression compared to the adhesion protein E-cadherin. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) events occur during tumour cell metastasis and embryonic development and is associated with down-regulation of E-cadherin. Recent data has identified an EMT-like event during ES cell differentiation. This thesis aimed to investigate the function of 5T4, Ncadherin and E-cadherin in EMT-like events during ES cell differentiation.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:617701 |
| Date | January 2008 |
| Creators | Spencer, Helen Louise |
| Publisher | University of Manchester |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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