UKNOW University of Kentucky News

UK Study Provides Insight into Cancer Progression

Published: Feb 22, 2012

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 22, 2012) — The University of Kentucky has announced that Dr. Daret St. Clair, the James Graham Brown Endowed Chair and professor of toxicology, has published the first comprehensive study that provides insight into the relationship between two types of suppressors in cancerous tumors. The results will enhance the understanding of transcriptional mechanisms in carcinogenesis.

The study was supported by a National Cancer Institute research grant and was recently published in Cancer Research. St. Clair and her team generated transgenic mice expressing a luciferase reporter gene under the control of human MnSOD promoter-enhancer elements and investigated the changes of MnSOD transcription using the 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)/12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-l3-acetate (TPA) multistage skin carcinogenesis model.

Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) plays a critical role in the survival of aerobic life, and its abnormal expression has been implicated in carcinogenesis and tumor resistance to therapy. Despite extensive studies in MnSOD regulation and its role in cancer, when and how the alteration of MnSOD expression occurs during the process of tumor development in vivo are unknown.

The results show that MnSOD expression was suppressed at a very early stage but increased at late stages of skin carcinogenesis. The suppression and subsequent restoration of MnSOD expression were mediated by two transcription factors, Sp1 and p53.

Exposure to DMBA and TPA activated p53 and decreased MnSOD expression via p53-mediated suppression of Sp1 binding to the MnSOD promoter in normal appearing skin and benign papillomas. In squamous cell carcinomas, Sp1 binding increased due to loss of functional p53. St. Clair’s team used chromatin immunoprecipitation, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and both knockdown and overexpression of Sp1 and p53 to verify their roles in the expression of MnSOD at each stage of cancer development.

The results identify MnSOD as a p53-regulated gene that switches between early and advanced stages of cancer. These findings also provide strong support for the development of a means to reactivate p53 for the prevention of tumor progression.

“This study reports a novel genetic model of skin cancer that reveals the importance of a linkage between an antioxidant enzyme, MnSOD, which plays an important role in survival, and the progression of cancer,” said St. Clair, who also serves as associate director for basic research at the UK Markey Cancer Center. "In the future, developing a means to inhibit the enzyme MnSOD in advanced cancer may prevent resistance to cancer therapy.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Allison Perry, (859) 323-2399

Tags:

Biomedical

+/- Move

Most Popular Articles

"see service." UK Graduate Makes Impact on Campus & Community

05/07/2012 - 1:51pm

Dean Tim Tracy to Serve as Interim Provost

04/30/2012 - 6:46pm

Fun Day Slated for May 17 for Employees and Their Families

05/15/2012 - 11:31am

Celebrating Our Newest Alumni – UK's 145th Commencement Ceremonies

04/25/2012 - 6:01pm

Improving Mental Health Through Supported Employment

05/11/2012 - 4:01am

- +

+/- Move

Most Recent Articles

Greetings from China

05/21/2012 - 11:35am

DOE Highlights UK Design's Plan for Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant

05/18/2012 - 12:26pm

UK's Tracey-Simmons Named 'Master' Coach

05/21/2012 - 4:01am

UK College of Health Sciences Inducts Alumni Into Hall of Fame

05/17/2012 - 4:41pm

New Summer Core Class in Music Takes Out-of-the-box Approach

05/21/2012 - 1:48pm

- +

+/- Move

List view Calendar view

Campus Calendar

May
		1 SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view Student-Teacher-Student Exhibit view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view Ovid's Cafe Open for Finals view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view Fine Arts Institute Classes & Workshops view Academic Calendar: Eight-Week Summer Session registration and add/drop continues for students enrolled in the 2012 Spring Semester view Academic Calendar: Add/Drop for priority registered students for the 2012 Fall Semester view Academic Calendar: First summer session registration and add/drop continue for students enrolled in the 2012 Spring Semester view Academic Calendar: Eight-Week Second Summer Session registration and add/drop continue for students enrolled in the 2012 Spring Semester view Tue	2 SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view Student-Teacher-Student Exhibit view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view Ovid's Cafe Open for Finals view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view Free Parking for South Campus Residence Hall Move Out view Systems Thinking For Sustainability Student Showcase view Wed	3 SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view Ovid's Cafe Open for Finals view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view Free Parking for South Campus Residence Hall Move Out view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view Student-Teacher-Student Exhibit view From Street to Studio view Thu	4 SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view Ovid's Cafe Open for Finals view Free Parking for South Campus Residence Hall Move Out view Academic Calendar: Last day for candidates for a May degree to submit a thesis/dissertation to The Graduate School view Fri	5 SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view SPUR meeting view Sat
6 SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view 145th Commencement view Sun	7 SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view Dodgeball Open Gym view Academic Calendar: Beginning of College of Pharmacy 15-Week Summer Term view Academic Calendar: Advising Conference and Registration for new and readmitted students view Academic Calendar: Deadline for applying for admission to the Graduate School for the 2012 Eight-Week Summer Session view Academic Calendar: Deadline for applying for admission to the Graduate School for the 2012 Eight-Week Second Summer Session view OpenClass Experiences: Presentations and Discussions view American Red Cross Lifeguarding Course view Mon	8 SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view American Red Cross Lifeguarding Course view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view Academic Calendar: Last day a student may officially drop a course or cancel registration with the University Registrar for a full refund of fees view Academic Calendar: First day of Four-Week First Summer classes view Academic Calendar: Late registration for returning students not already registered and new applicants cleared late for admission. view Tue	9 SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view American Red Cross Lifeguarding Course view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view Academic Calendar: Last day to add a class for the 2012 First summer session view Academic Calendar: Last day to officially withdraw from the University or reduce course load and receive an 80 percent refund view Academic Calendar: Last day for students in the Employee Educational Program to submit EEP form to Human Resource Services for tuition waiver for the 2012 First summer session view Wed	10 SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view American Red Cross Lifeguarding Course view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view Staff Senate Meeting view Adobe Day on Campus view Thu	11 SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view American Red Cross Lifeguarding Course view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view Fri	12 SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view SPUR meeting view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view American Red Cross Lifeguarding Course #9 view Sat
13 SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view American Red Cross Lifeguarding Course #9 view Sun	14 SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view Academic Calendar: Last day to drop a course without it appearing on the student's transcript view Academic Calendar: Last day to change a grading option view Mon	15 SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view Academic Calendar: Last day to officially withdraw from the University or reduce course load and receive a 50 percent refund view Academic Calendar: Final deadline for submission of application and all required documents to the Office of Admissions for undergraduate admission for the 2012 Eight-Week Summer Session view Tue	16 SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view Academic Calendar: Second summer session registration and add/drop for students who entered the University in the 2012 first summer session view Academic Calendar: Eight-Week registration and add/drop for students who entered the University in the 2012 Four-Week Intersession view Wed	17 SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view UK Employee Benefits Open Enrollment view The 31st Annual UK Symposium in Reproductive Science & Women’s Health view UK Fun Day view Thu	18 SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view The 31st Annual UK Symposium in Reproductive Science & Women’s Health view American Red Cross Lifeguarding Course #9 view Fri	19 SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view American Red Cross Lifeguarding Course #9 view Sat
20 SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view American Red Cross Lifeguarding Course #9 view 43rd Annual Family Medicine Review Session 2 view Sun	21 SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view Academic Calendar: Midterm of 2012 Four-Week Intersession view 43rd Annual Family Medicine Review Session 2 view Mon	22 SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view Academic Calendar: Payment deadline of registration fees and/or housing and dining fees view 43rd Annual Family Medicine Review Session 2 view Tue	23 SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view Academic Calendar: Last day to withdraw from the University or reduce course load view 43rd Annual Family Medicine Review Session 2 view Lexington Farmers Market @ UK view Wed	24 SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view 43rd Annual Family Medicine Review Session 2 view Thu	25 SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view 43rd Annual Family Medicine Review Session 2 view Fri	26 SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view Sat
27 SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view Sun	28 SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view Academic Calendar: Memorial Day - Academic Holiday view Academic Calendar: Final grading window is open view Mon	29 SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view American Red Cross Lifeguarding Course #10 view Tue	30 SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view American Red Cross Lifeguarding Course #10 view Academic Calendar: Last day for doctoral candidates for an August degree to submit a Notification of Intent to schedule a final examination in The Graduate School 2012 Four-Week - First Summer Session view Academic Calendar: Last day for doctoral candidates for an August degree to submit a Notification of Intent to schedule a final examination in The Graduate School 2012 Eight-Week - Second Summer Session view Lexington Farmers Market @ UK view Wed	31 SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view SPUR meeting view American Red Cross Lifeguarding Course #10 view Thu

May 22

Academic Calendar: Payment deadline of registration fees and/or housing and dining fees

Repeats every week every Wednesday until Wed Aug 15 2012 except Wed Jul 04 2012.
Wed, 05/23/2012

Lexington Farmers Market @ UK

03:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Reset Page

UKNOW University of Kentucky News

Most Popular Articles

Most Recent Articles

Campus Calendar

Tue, 05/22/2012

Repeats every day until Fri May 25 2012 .
Tue, 05/22/2012

Wed, 05/23/2012

Repeats every day until Fri May 25 2012 .
Wed, 05/23/2012

Repeats every week every Wednesday until Wed Aug 15 2012 except Wed Jul 04 2012.
Wed, 05/23/2012

Navigation

More

In the news

Ron Paul exit spared Rand Paul from awkward Kentucky primary

UK Expands Classes Offered Online

A Richer Life by Seeing the Glass Half Full

Ticks emerging earlier than normal this year, could cause problems, extension agents warn

Related Articles

Tue, 05/22/2012

Repeats every day until Fri May 25 2012 .Tue, 05/22/2012

Wed, 05/23/2012

Repeats every day until Fri May 25 2012 .Wed, 05/23/2012

Repeats every week every Wednesday until Wed Aug 15 2012 except Wed Jul 04 2012.Wed, 05/23/2012

Navigation

More

In the news

Repeats every day until Fri May 25 2012 .
Tue, 05/22/2012

Repeats every day until Fri May 25 2012 .
Wed, 05/23/2012

Repeats every week every Wednesday until Wed Aug 15 2012 except Wed Jul 04 2012.
Wed, 05/23/2012