Research Abstracts Online
January 2010 - March 2011
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
PI: Arkadiusz Dudek
Effect of VG5Q on Gene Expression in Human Cell Lines
Angiogenesis and post-natal vasculogenesis are two processes involved in the formation of new vessels, and both are essential for tumor growth and metastases. Angiogenic factors are critical for the initiation of angiogenesis and maintenance of the vascular network. VG5Q is a newly discovered protein that acts as a potent angiogenic factor in promoting angiogenesis and indicated in pathophysiology of Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome, but little is known about its role in progression of cancer.
These researchers screened VG5Q expression from a number of cancer cell lines and endothelial cells. The gene-specific silencing of VG5Q resulted in markedly decreased proliferation, invasion, and soft-agar colony formation in these cells. Furthermore, VG5Q silencing increased apoptosis as seen by increased the Annexin levels. Unexpectedly, the researchers found that silencing of VG5Q expression has profound effect in cancer cell lines which leads them to hypothesize that VG5Q’s role may not be limited to the biology of endothelial cells.
Kaoru Terai, Research Associate