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Integration of Bioinformatics Approaches and Experimental Validations to Understand the Role of Notch Signaling in Ovarian Cancer
Published on: January 12, 2020
cAMP response element-binding (CREB) signalling and ovarian surface epithelial cell survival
O Gubbay1, M T Rae, A S McNeilly
1Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Centre for Reproductive Biology, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Old Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK.
CREB/ATF signaling promotes ovarian surface epithelium cell survival and is altered in ovarian cancer cells. This pathway
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- CREB (cAMP response-element binding) transcription factors are crucial for cell survival signaling.
- Ovarian cancer often originates from the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE), potentially linked to inflammation-induced repair.
- The role of CREB signaling in OSE cell survival and its alteration in ovarian cancer remains to be fully elucidated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of CREB/ATF signaling in ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) cell survival.
- To determine if CREB signaling is altered in human ovarian cancer cell lines.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry to detect phospho-CREB/ATF in ovine OSE cells.
- Primary sheep OSE cell culture treated with LH and FSH, measuring cAMP and apoptosis.
- Adenoviral expression of CRE-luciferase and CREB mutants (S133A, WT) in OSE cells.
- Apoptosis assays in normal human OSE cells and ovarian cancer cell lines expressing mutant CREB.
Main Results:
- Phospho-CREB/ATF was abundant in ovine OSE cells near pre-ovulatory follicles.
- LH stimulation reduced apoptosis and increased cAMP in sheep OSE cells.
- LH and FSH induced CRE-directed transcription in OSE cells.
- Expression of a non-phosphorylatable CREB mutant (Ad CREB(S133A)) significantly increased apoptosis in normal human OSE cells but not in ovarian cancer cell lines.
Conclusions:
- CREB/ATF signaling is vital for maintaining OSE cell survival in vitro.
- This signaling pathway is dysregulated in human ovarian cancer cell lines.
- Targeting CREB/ATF signaling may offer therapeutic strategies for ovarian cancer.
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