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TitleOsteopontin as a regulator of leukemia inhibitory factor mRNA levels in the AtT-20 mouse pituitary cell line
NameCoyle, Luke (author), Denhardt, David T (chair), Merrill, Gary F (internal member), Axelrod, David E (internal member), Rutgers University, Graduate School - New Brunswick,
Degree Date2011
Date Created2011
SubjectMicrobiology and Molecular Genetics,
Leukemia--Animal models,
Leukemia--Treatment,
Osteopontin
DescriptionThe highly phosphorylated glycoprotein Osteopontin (OPN) is a multifaceted protein with a diversity of roles in many immunological processes, and has recently been found to have a significant role in the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis. Its role was discovered when unstressed OPN-knockout mice were found to have abnormally high basal corticosterone levels, which is the hormone typically elevated following stress induction of the HPA axis. Another protein rigorously studied and repeatedly identified in the successful functioning of the HPA axis is Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF). I propose that OPN may possess a regulatory role in the expression of LIF, with the absence of OPN leading to a greater abundance of LIF mRNA, and consequently, over-production of corticosterone in non-stressful situations. Using the mouse anterior pituitary cell-line AtT-20, a common and highly useful model in HPA axis research, I have found evidence that treatment of these cells with OPN partially inhibits the expression of LIF mRNA. The dose-dependency of this inhibition appears to behave as either positive or negative depending on the cellular density of the culture treated with OPN. Should OPN turn out to be a regulator of LIF mRNA expression, then absence of OPN may lead to an over-abundance of LIF, therefore affecting the expression of several proteins downstream of LIF that potently stimulate corticosterone production, such as the cholesterol transport protein StAR. It may turn out that OPN has an especially significant and indispensable role in the HPA axis via regulation of LIF mRNA levels.
NoteM.S.
NoteIncludes bibliographical references
Noteby Luke Coyle
Genretheses
Persistent URLhttp://hdl.rutgers.edu/1782.1/rucore10001600001.ETD.000057538
Languageeng
CollectionGraduate School - New Brunswick Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Organization NameRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
RightsThe author owns the copyright to this work.