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Dual Regulation Of Telomerase Activity By Hsf1 And Its Role In Prostate Cancer Progression, Keith Douglas Ostergaard Jensen Jan 2006

Dual Regulation Of Telomerase Activity By Hsf1 And Its Role In Prostate Cancer Progression, Keith Douglas Ostergaard Jensen

Theses and Dissertations

It has been shown that the key components of the hsp90 chaperone complex, including hsp90, p23, hsp70, hsp40, and HOP (p60), associate with telomerase; however, their specific roles in telomerase function and tumor progression have not yet been defined. HSF1, the primary mammalian heat shock protein transcription factor, may affect telomerase activity and transformation by regulating the expression of several hsp90 chaperone complex proteins in response to stress as well as regulating the transcription of hTERT, the protein subunit of telomerase.In our in vitro model of prostate cancer progression, as cells progress from immortal but non-tumorigenic (P69) to tumorigenic (M2182) …


A Critical Review Of Telomerase Biology And Model Systems For The Study Of Telomerase, Jeremy Charles Aisenberg Jan 2006

A Critical Review Of Telomerase Biology And Model Systems For The Study Of Telomerase, Jeremy Charles Aisenberg

Theses and Dissertations

The study of telomere and telomerase biology holds substantial promise in uncovering the molecular process of aging and the treatment of cancers. Studies have shown that telomere shortening is directly linked to cellular aging and that telomerase expression is found in over 85% of human cancers, including 95% of all advanced malignancies. Development of effective model systems to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the role of telomeres and telomerase in the processes aging and cancer is of particular importance. While inbred strains of mice have provided a wealth of information for a variety of pathways and diseases, the mouse model …


Perceptions Of Academic And Social Self-Efficacy Among Adolescents Diagnosed With Cancer And Their Relations With Dispositional Optimism, Perceived Vulnerability, And Treatment Modality, Rebecca Hope Foster Jan 2006

Perceptions Of Academic And Social Self-Efficacy Among Adolescents Diagnosed With Cancer And Their Relations With Dispositional Optimism, Perceived Vulnerability, And Treatment Modality, Rebecca Hope Foster

Theses and Dissertations

For adolescents with cancer, a population notably neglected in the literature, maintaining and strengthening academic and social self-efficacy is especially salient in terms of promoting positive adaptation on key developmental indices. Based on prior research citing their potential roles among adolescents adapting to cancer, treatment modality, dispositional optimism, and perceived vulnerability were chosen as variables likely related to social and academic self-efficacy. Forty-two adolescents diagnosed with cancer and at least six months post-treatment completed questionnaire packets. Analyses indicated that although treatment modality did not relate to academic or social self-efficacy, prognosis should be considered as a covariate. Hierarchical regression analyses …


The Influence Of Physical Activity And Television On The Intention And Self-Efficacy To Engage In Health-Enhancing Behaviors, Ian Joseph Wallace Jan 2006

The Influence Of Physical Activity And Television On The Intention And Self-Efficacy To Engage In Health-Enhancing Behaviors, Ian Joseph Wallace

Theses and Dissertations

Cancer and heart disease account for the largest proportion of morbidity and mortality among all adult diseases in the United States. Research has focused on identifying causal risk factors among adolescents. However, theories of health behavior change also stress the intermediary factors of intention and efficacy for effective behavior change. Existing research supports the potential of physical activity (PA), particularly learned through the domains of exercise and sport, as a means to developing these necessary skills (Danish, Petitpas, & Hale, 1993). The current investigation examined the influence of PA and television watching (TV) on intentions and efficacy to engage in …


Role Of Mdm2 In Cell Growth Regulation, Rebecca Anne Frum Jan 2006

Role Of Mdm2 In Cell Growth Regulation, Rebecca Anne Frum

Theses and Dissertations

MDM2 has been shown to induce G0-Gl/S phase arrest. To determine the cell cycle step targeted by MDM2, flow cytometry was employed to detect induction of events during the G1-S phase transition in MDM2-arrested cells. MDM2 overexpression does not prevent expression of cyclin D, cyclin D-CDK mediated phosphorylation of Rb or cyclin E in normal, immortal or tumor-derived cells. However, MDM2 down-regulates cyclin A expression specifically in normal cells, which is associated with G1 arrest. The domain of MDM2 capable of this function is located within its N-terminal 58-109 amino acids. To down-regulate cyclin A, MDM2 requires a functional pl6/Brg …


The Effect Of Silencing The Wilms' Tumor 1 Gene On The Radiation Sensitivity Of Glioblastoma Cells, Dana C. Chan Jan 2006

The Effect Of Silencing The Wilms' Tumor 1 Gene On The Radiation Sensitivity Of Glioblastoma Cells, Dana C. Chan

Theses and Dissertations

Glioblastomas are among the most devastating of human cancers with a median survival of only 9-12 months. This type of brain tumor is incurable, largely due its remarkable proliferative capacity and resistance to current treatments. High levels of the Wilms' Tumor 1 (WTI) gene have been identified in glioblastomas, suggesting an oncogenic function. Moreover, known WT1 target genes have been implicated in resistance to radiation. To determine the role of WT1 in radiation resistance, two glioblastoma cell lines expressing WT1 were treated with siRNAs to silence this gene. Confirmation of WT1 knockdown was achieved through real-time PCR and Western blot. …