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The functional in vitro analysis of the BRCA1alternative splicing variants
Ševčík, Jan ; Kleibl, Zdeněk (advisor) ; Stopka, Tomáš (referee) ; Macůrek, Libor (referee)
BACKGROUND: The inactivation of the tumor suppressor gene BRCA1 is a predisposing factor for a breast/ovarian cancer development. Formation of cancer-specific alternative splicing variants with aberrant biological properties can represent additional mechanism decreasing the overall BRCA1 activity in DNA double strand break (DDSB) repair. In this study, we analyzed BRCA1 alternative splicing variants BRCA114-15 and 17-19 ascertained previously during the screening of high-risk breast cancer individuals. METHODS: We established a stable MCF-7 cell line-based model system for an in vitro analysis of BRCA1 variants. Using this system, we analyzed the impact of BRCA114-15 and 17-19 variants on DNA repair kinetics using comet assay and confocal immunomicroscopy. The capacity of DNA repair was assessed directly by an in vitro NHEJ assay and indirectly by a mitomycin C sensitivity test. The proliferation activities were determined by a clonogenic assay and growth curves. RESULTS: Overexpression of BRCA114-15 and 17-19 increases the endogenous level of DNA damage, slows down the DDSB repair, and decelerates the initial phase of radiation-induced foci formation and prolongs their persistence. Moreover, BRCA114-15 and 17-19 differentially influence the activity of HR and NHEJ and sensitivity of MCF-7 cells to ionizing...
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Molecular bases of sensitivity to electron transport chain inhibition-induced cell death
Blecha, Jan
1 Abstract in English Mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) targeting shows a great promise in cancer therapy. However, why modern ETC-targeted compounds are tolerated on the organismal level and what are the molecular reasons for this tolerance remains unclear. Most somatic cells are in a non-proliferative state, and features associated with the ETC in quiescence might therefore contribute to specificity. Thus, we investigated the ETC status and the role of two major consequences of ETC blockade, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and inhibition of ATP production, in cell death induction in breast cancer cells and in proliferating and quiescent non-transformed cells. First, we characterised the effect of a newly developed ETC inhibitor mitochondria- targeted tamoxifen (MitoTam) in in vitro and in vivo tumour models of breast cancer with varying status of the Her2 oncogene. We document that Her2high cells and tumours have increased assembly of respiratory supercomplexes (SCs) and increased complex I-driven respiration in vitro and in vivo. They are also highly sensitive to MitoTam. Unlike the parental compound tamoxifen, MitoTam efficiently suppressed experimental Her2high tumours without systemic toxicity. Mechanistically, MitoTam inhibits complex I- driven respiration and disrupts respiratory...
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The effect of carbon nanostructures on human cell behavior and the role of fetal bovine serum in cell adhesion
Jannová, Martina
Graphene (G) and nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) are carbon allotropes and promising nanomaterials with an excellent combination of their properties, such as high mechanical strength, electrical and thermal conductivity, possibility of functionalization and very high surface area to volume ratio. For these reasons, G and NCD are employed next to electronics in biomedical applications, including implant coating, drug and gene delivery and biosensing. For a fundamental characterization of cell behavior on G and NCD, we studied osteoblast adhesion and proliferation on differently treated G and NCD. Generally, both G and NCD exhibited better properties for osteoblast cultivation than control tissue culture polystyrene. Better cell adhesion but lower cell proliferation were observed on NCD compared to G. The most surprising finding was that hydrophobic G with nanowrinkled topography enhanced cell proliferation extensively, in comparison to hydrophilic and flat G and both NCDs (hydrophobic and hydrophilic) with slightly higher roughness. Promoted cell proliferation enables faster cell colonization of G and NCD substrates, meaning faster new tissue formation which is beneficial in biomedical applications. Furthermore, it was shown that osteoblast adhesion was promoted in the initial absence of fetal bovine...
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Role of intestinal circadian clock in epithelial transport, proliferation, and tumourigenesis
Soták, Matúš
AABBSSTTRRAACCTT The molecular circadian clock enables anticipation of environmental changes. In mammals, clocks are ubiquitously present in almost all tissues and they are comprised of transcriptional-translational feedback loops of the so-called clock genes. The central clock represents the intrinsic pacemaker which is located in suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of hypothalamus and synchronizes peripheral clocks. Clockwork system in alimentary tract and its regulatory link to intestinal functions are poorly understood. Therefore the objective of the thesis was to characterize molecular clock in particular parts of the rat intestine and to elucidate its link to the intestinal transport, regulation of cell cycle and neoplastic transformation in colonic tissue. We used quantitative RT-PCR (qPCR) to determine circadian profiles of mRNA expression of clock genes in the epithelium of duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon of rat. Furthermore, we analysed the expression of genes coding sodium chloride transporters and channels as well as cell cycle regulators in colon. To focus more precisely on different structures of intestinal epithelia we used laser capture microdissection. In addition, we performed Ussing chamber measurements to determine the colonic electrogenic transport. To study the contribution of circadian...
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Role of DISP3 in malignancy of medulloblastoma cell line
Jarošová, Šárka ; Zíková, Martina (advisor) ; Havránek, Ondřej (referee)
In the search for new genes that are regulated by thyroid hormone, DISP3, a new member of the SSD (sterol-sensing domain) protein family, has been identified. Expression analysis showed that DISP3 is expressed in cells of neural origin, and our previous results indicate that overexpression of this gene affects cell proliferation and differentiation. Oncomine database analysis also showed that DISP3 expression is increased in medulloblastomas, the most common malignancies of the central nervous system in children. The subject of this diploma thesis is studying the effect of increased DISP3 levels on cell apoptosis and cell ability to form a colony. Cell lines derived from medulloblastomas were used in the work. We compared the expression levels of the DISP3 gene in different medulloblastoma lines by quantitative PCR and selected a line with low expression of this gene for further experiments. Some medulloblastoma cell lines can form neurospheres when cultured in serum-free medium. Using quantitative PCR, we compared the expression levels of neural markers in cells cultured both as neurospheres and as adherent cells. By transfecting cells with a plasmid overexpressing DISP3, we prepared cells with increased levels of this gene. We induced apoptosis by radiation at different doses. Apoptosis was...
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The effect of synthetic modified mRNAs induced proliferation on pancreatic beta cells
Veľasová, Adriana ; Koblas, Tomáš (advisor) ; Bořek Dohalská, Lucie (referee)
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease caused by the loss of pancreatic beta cells due to autoimmune destruction or increased apoptosis. Beta-cell deficiency results in reduced insulin production, which plays an important role in glucose metabolism. The number of beta-cells in the body is one of the main factors that influence the development of this chronic disease. Therefore, it is necessary to find a way by which the number of beta-cells of the organism can be increased and thus the insulin production can be restored in a natural way without any need for the use of insulin infusions. However, the ability of beta-cells to divide decreases with age and is virtually nil in adulthood. The study of the cell cycle, especially the early and late cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases, which act as cell cycle regulators, thus appears to be a promising way to restore natural insulin-producing tissues. In order to increase the number of beta cells entering the cell cycle, we focused on studying the effect of in vitro transcribed (IVT) mRNAs, encoding cyclins type D and cyclin dependent kinases 4 and 6 on stimulating cell division of isolated beta-cells. We found that transfection IVT mRNAs for type D cyclins in combination with cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 significantly increased the proliferation of beta-cells...
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Induction of beta-cell proliferation by synthetic modified mRNAs encoding cell cycle regulators
Ivanovská, Dana ; Koblas, Tomáš (advisor) ; Černá, Věra (referee)
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease associated with a high blood glucose level over a prolonged period of time. Hyperglycemia is caused by the loss of pancreatic insulin producing beta cells. Diabetes mellitus II is linked with insulin resistence, which can indirectly lead to beta cell deficiency. It logically follows that the replacement or regeneration of beta cells could lead to a successful remission of diabetes. D type cyclins (D1, D2, D3) and cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdk) 4/6 appear to have the potential to induce beta cell proliferation. These proteins are responsible for driving cell mitotic entry. The aim of this bachelor thesis was to verify the possibility of inducing beta cell proliferation via D type and Cdk4/6 synthetic mRNA transfection. In vitro-synthesized mRNA induces short-therm protein overexpression. Cyclins harboring mutations are characterized by a higher protein stability and an increased half-life. The presence of D type cyclins and Cdk4/6 after cell transfection was detected using indirect immunofluorescence. Also a Western blot analysis with subsequent immunodetection was performed. Transfecting rat islet cells with various D type cyclins and Cdk4/6 mRNA combinations has shown to lead to a significant induction of beta cell proliferation. The levels of beta cell...
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Nuclear latency and the problem of deterrence
Pažitný, Tomáš ; Ludvík, Jan (advisor) ; Bahenský, Vojtěch (referee)
Bc. Tomáš Pažitný Nuclear latency and the problem of deterrence 2020 Abstract The primary goal of the master's thesis is to uncover the actual impact of latent nuclear deterrence on the decision to avert the conflict. The thesis employs a variety of concepts, including the latent nuclear deterrence, as articulated by Matthew Fuhrmann, to ascertain which one of them plays a vital role in dissuading one country from attacking another one. The influence of respective concepts is examined on the example of two historical case studies, which form the core part of the master's thesis. The first case study presents two crises that occurred in the 1980s between Pakistan as a latent nuclear state and India as the challenging state, eventually dissuaded from the attack. The second case study is devoted to the 1965 crisis between Pakistan as a challenging state and India as a latent nuclear state. This crisis, which eventually led to the war, works as a control case study. The analysis of both cases reveals valuable findings concerning the role of latent nuclear deterrence and nuclear latency in general. Contrary to what would proponents of this weaponless deterrence believe, latent nuclear deterrence was not the central factor when the attack on the latent nuclear state was contemplated. The findings of the master's...
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Molecular bases of sensitivity to electron transport chain inhibition-induced cell death
Blecha, Jan
1 Abstract in English Mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) targeting shows a great promise in cancer therapy. However, why modern ETC-targeted compounds are tolerated on the organismal level and what are the molecular reasons for this tolerance remains unclear. Most somatic cells are in a non-proliferative state, and features associated with the ETC in quiescence might therefore contribute to specificity. Thus, we investigated the ETC status and the role of two major consequences of ETC blockade, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and inhibition of ATP production, in cell death induction in breast cancer cells and in proliferating and quiescent non-transformed cells. First, we characterised the effect of a newly developed ETC inhibitor mitochondria- targeted tamoxifen (MitoTam) in in vitro and in vivo tumour models of breast cancer with varying status of the Her2 oncogene. We document that Her2high cells and tumours have increased assembly of respiratory supercomplexes (SCs) and increased complex I-driven respiration in vitro and in vivo. They are also highly sensitive to MitoTam. Unlike the parental compound tamoxifen, MitoTam efficiently suppressed experimental Her2high tumours without systemic toxicity. Mechanistically, MitoTam inhibits complex I- driven respiration and disrupts respiratory...
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