Grants and Contracts Details
Description
The long term goal of these studies is to develop therapeutic strategies to treat or prevent breast cancer. Since
our demonstration that the nuclear receptor peroxisomeproliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARy) is
expressed and functionally active in breast cancer cells, a rapidly growing body of evidence has accumulated
indicating that PPARy plays a central role in many types of cancer including breast cancer. Ligands include
the antidiabetic thiazolidinediones, prostaglandin J2, fatty acids, and others. Treating breast cancer cells with
PPARy ligands have alternatively been reported to induce cell cycle withdrawal, apoptosis, or mediate the
expression of genes leading to a more differentiated, less malignant state. Other ligands, including fatty
acids, have been reported to mediate the expression of genes that alter the malignancy and metastatic
potential of breast cancer cells. The mechanism underlying these divergent actions has not been established.
We have recently reported that the expression of ERa inhibits PPARy transactivation. Thus we will test the
hypothesis that selective transactivation of PPARy by different ligands mediates gene expression profiles that
favor either differentiation or proliferation, depending on the specific ligand used and the functional status of
the ER in the same cells. Therefore, in Specific Aim 1 we will test the hypothesis that different PPARy
ligands induce conformational changes that result in selective regulation of gene expression profiles and
physiological responses in normal epithelia and in breast cancer cells. In Specific Aim 2 we will examine the
necessity of PPARy in mediating the gene expression profiles involved in proliferation, differentiation, and
apoptosis. In Specific Aim 3, we will examine the mechanism whereby the estrogen receptor alters the
transactivation of PPARy and examine the physiological consequences of this interaction. This represents a
novel approach to understanding the role PPARy plays in breast cancer and its selective modulation could
point to novel mechanisms of action and to therapeutic targets.
Status | Finished |
---|---|
Effective start/end date | 8/5/04 → 5/31/09 |
Funding
- National Cancer Institute: $910,518.00
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