Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 23, 2026

Studying RNA Interactors of Protein Kinase RNA-Activated during the Mammalian Cell Cycle
10:05

Studying RNA Interactors of Protein Kinase RNA-Activated during the Mammalian Cell Cycle

Published on: March 5, 2019

6.9K

Expression of the double-stranded RNA-dependent kinase PKR influences osteosarcoma attachment independent growth,

Manuela Piazzi1,2, Alberto Bavelloni2, Sara Greco3

  • 1Istituto di Genetica Molecolare-Luigi Luca Cavalli Sforza, UOS Bologna, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (IGM-CNR), Bologna, Italy.

Journal of Cellular Physiology
|June 27, 2019
PubMed

Insights

This study reveals that double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR), a key inflammatory signaling molecule, promotes osteosarcoma (OS) growth and metastasis. PKR activation may serve as a prognostic indicator for this rare bone cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Osteosarcoma (OS) is a rare bone cancer primarily affecting young individuals.
  • Lung metastasis of OS is the main cause of mortality.
  • Innate immune and inflammatory signaling pathways in OS development are understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) in osteosarcoma (OS) progression.
  • To determine if PKR influences OS cell growth, migration, and invasion.
  • To explore the potential prognostic value of PKR in OS.

Main Methods:

  • Stable transfection of U2OS and SaOS-2 osteosarcoma cell lines with wild-type or dominant-negative (DN) PKR.
  • Assessment of anchorage-independent growth (soft agar colony formation).
  • Evaluation of cell migration and invasion capabilities.

Main Results:

  • Overexpression of PKR significantly enhanced colony formation, migration, and invasion in OS cells.
  • Conversely, dominant-negative PKR inhibited attachment-independent growth, migration, and invasion.
  • These findings highlight PKR's pro-tumorigenic role in osteosarcoma.

Conclusions:

  • Inflammatory signaling, mediated by PKR, plays a significant role in osteosarcoma initiation and metastasis.
  • PKR expression and activation status may hold prognostic value for osteosarcoma patients.
  • Targeting PKR could represent a novel therapeutic strategy for osteosarcoma.
Keywords:
inflammationinnate immunitymetastasesosteosarcomasignal transduction

More Related Videos

Separation of Single-stranded DNA, Double-stranded DNA and RNA from an Environmental Viral Community Using Hydroxyapatite Chromatography13:46

Separation of Single-stranded DNA, Double-stranded DNA and RNA from an Environmental Viral Community Using Hydroxyapatite Chromatography

Published on: September 29, 2011

32.3K
Practical Use of RNA Interference: Oral Delivery of Double-stranded RNA in Liposome Carriers for Cockroaches08:26

Practical Use of RNA Interference: Oral Delivery of Double-stranded RNA in Liposome Carriers for Cockroaches

Published on: May 1, 2018

9.9K

Related Concept Videos

Fixing Double-strand Breaks02:04

Fixing Double-strand Breaks

The double-stranded structure of DNA has two major advantages. First, it serves as a safe repository of genetic information where one strand serves as the back-up in case the other strand is damaged. Second, the double-helical structure can be wrapped around proteins called histones to form nucleosomes, which can then be tightly wound to form chromosomes. This way, DNA chains up to 2 inches long can be contained within microscopic structures in a cell. A double-stranded break not only damages...
14.4K
Fixing Double-strand Breaks02:04

Fixing Double-strand Breaks

4.3K
Independent and Dependent Sources01:18

Independent and Dependent Sources

In electrical circuits, sources play a crucial role in providing power for the operation of the circuit. These sources can be broadly categorized into two types: independent and dependent.
Independent voltage or current sources supply a fixed amount of voltage or current, respectively, which is unaffected by other elements within the circuit. These are represented using specific symbols. Independent voltage sources are symbolized with polarities (+ and -), indicating the direction of the...
2.5K
cAMP-dependent Protein Kinase Pathways01:25

cAMP-dependent Protein Kinase Pathways

Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate (cAMP) is an essential second messenger that activates protein kinase A (PKA) and regulates various biological processes. A single epinephrine molecule binds to GPCR and activates several heterotrimeric G proteins, each stimulating multiple adenylyl cyclase, amplifying the signal, and synthesizing large numbers of cAMP molecules. Small changes in cAMP concentration affect PKA activity. The binding of four cAMP molecules induces a conformational change in PKA,...
8.4K
Factors Influencing Microbial Growth: pH01:29

Factors Influencing Microbial Growth: pH

Microorganisms are classified as acidophiles, neutrophiles, or alkaliphiles based on their pH growth preferences, reflecting their adaptations to specific environments. Maintaining a stable intracellular pH is critical for macromolecular stability and enzymatic activity, which can be challenged by external pH variations.Neutrophiles, such as Escherichia coli, grow optimally between pH 5.5 and 8.0. These microorganisms inhabit neutral or slightly acidic environments and employ mechanisms like...
1.1K
Lagging Strand Synthesis01:59

Lagging Strand Synthesis

During replication, the complementary strands in double-stranded DNA are synthesized at different rates. Replication first begins on the leading strand. Replication starts later, occurs more slowly, and proceeds discontinuously on the lagging strand.
There are several major differences between synthesis of the leading strand and synthesis of the lagging strand. 1) Leading strand synthesis happens in the direction of replication fork opening, whereas lagging strand synthesis happens in the...
61.0K