Defeating Cytoplasmic Sequestration of p53 in Human Breast Cancer Cells; Is Mortalin Involved?

Author

Sarah Yunes, University of New Hampshire - Main Campus

Date of Award

Spring 2012

Project Type

Senior Honors Thesis

College or School

COLSA

Department

Biological Sciences

Program or Major

Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology

First Advisor

Charles Walker

Abstract

Cytoplasmic sequestration of p53, possibly caused by p53 interacting with mortalin, can prevent p53 from functioning in DNA repair and apoptosis, causing aberrant growth. This project treated SKBR3 breast cancer cells with MKT-077, a dye that is a competitive binder to mortalin to see if it would result in the release of p53 from the cytoplasm and restoration of p53 function. Treatment resulted in partial translocation of a protein suspected to be p53 to the nucleus and apoptosis initiated at the mitochondria.

Recommended Citation

Yunes, Sarah, "Defeating Cytoplasmic Sequestration of p53 in Human Breast Cancer Cells; Is Mortalin Involved?" (2012). Honors Theses and Capstones. 81.
https://scholars.unh.edu/honors/81