Cancer

SOX9 is a member of the SOX family of HMG DNA-binding domain transcription factors. The protein encoded by this gene recognizes the sequence CCTTGAG along with other members of the HMG-box class DNA-binding proteins. cAMP and protein kinase A (PKA) stimulation appear to induce SOX-9 nuclear translocation through its nuclear import upon phosphorylation at two particular serine residues.   It is required for the development and differentiation of multiple cell lineages and is expressed in primary and recurrent prostate cancers.

Mucus is the viscous secretion that covers epithelial surfaces (trachea, colon, and cervix) and consists of twenty highly glycosylated proteins called mucins. The mucin family all are high-molecular weight proteins with oligosaccharides attached to the serine or threonine residues of their core protein backbone by O-glycosidic linkages. Mucins play fundamental roles in mucosal cell protection, lubrication, and communication with their external environment as detailed by Corfield¹. They have been implicated in epithelial renewal and differentiation.

CD56 is a member of the Ig super family and comprises five Ig-like domains and two extracellular fibronectin-type III domains. It is expressed as three major isoforms within the nervous system, on NK cells, and a specific set of T-cells. CD56+ NK and T-cells are unique in their ability to mediate cell-mediated cytotoxicity against certain tumor cell targets without MHC restriction. Other CD56 physiological functions include: mediating cell adhesion, triggering neurite extension and migration, and brain synapse formation.

CD34 is a cell-surface glycoprotein type 1 transmembrane protein that belongs to the sialomucin family. CD34 comprises of an intracellular cytoplasmic domain with consensus sites for serine, threonine, tyrosine and active protein kinase C (PKC). Because it is differentially glycosylated within different cell types, it has a range of apparent molecular weight sizes. It is a marker for pluripotent hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells and has been extensively used to isolate and characterize these progenitor cells.

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month and brings to focus a cancer that is estimated to be diagnosed in over 21,000 women in the US in 2014 (1). Ovarian cancer often goes undiagnosed due to the lack of symptoms until it metastasized into the pelvic or abdominal areas. Treatment typically requires surgery and chemotherapy.

By: Lisa Ikariyama; Design: Kim Mesman

Prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), also known as Glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII), is a type II transmembrane glycoprotein that belongs to the M28 peptidase family. It acts as a glutamate carboxypeptidase on different substrates such as folate as well as the neuropeptide N-acetyl-l-aspartyl-l-glutamate. PSMA is expressed in a number of tissues including prostate, kidney, and both the central and peripheral nervous systems.

CD19 is a cell surface protein member of the large immunoglobulin superfamily that complexes with CD21, CD81, and CD225 in the membrane of mature B-cells. A major function of CD19 is to assemble with the antigen receptor of B-lymphocytes to decrease the threshold for receptor-dependent stimulation, thus enhancing the specificity and sensitivity of B-cells towards antigens. CD19 plays a large role in regulating B-cell growth.

The enzyme family of DNA polymerases plays a fundamental role in the replication, repair, and recombination of nucleic acid. Its members include DNA Polymerase b (Pol b), DNA Polymerase g (Pol g), and DNA Polymerase m (Pol m). TdT is a very unique and fascinating member of this family because, unlike all other DNA polymerases, TdT synthesizes DNA from only single-stranded DNA.

The SOX-11 transcription factor is a member of the SOX family known to be involved in embryonic development regulation and cell fate determination. The protein acts as a transcriptional regulator and appears to modulate fundamental aspects of normal embryonic nervous system development and tumorigenesis. SOX-11 is not found expressed in adult tissues except for the adult immature neuron.

The PIM-1 (proto-oncogene serine/threonine-protein kinase) protein is an epithelial-derived, integral membrane serine protease. This protease forms a complex with the Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor, HAI-1, and is activated by sphingosine 1-phosphate. PIM-1 cleaves and activates hepatocyte growth factor/scattering factor (HGF) as well as urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA). Such downstream targets implicate this serine protease as an epithelial membrane trigger for a sequential protease cascade.