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The role of protein kinase C alpha in individual cancer cell invasiveness
Szabadosová, Emília ; Brábek, Jan (advisor) ; Hlaváčková, Markéta (referee)
Protein kinase C alpha was one of the first identified isoenzyme of PKC family. Since then PKC has been shown to be important in various signal cascades. One of the best known role is in tumor invasiveness and in development of metastases. A role of protein kinase C alpha was pointed out in regulation of Rho/ROCK pathway in amoeboid invasiveness and also Raf/MAPK signaling cascade of mesenchymal movement. ERM proteins, which act in cancer invasiveness, are regulated by protein kinase C too.
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The role of NG2 glycoprotein in regulation of Rho/ROCK signaling
Kratochvílová, Magdalena ; Rösel, Daniel (advisor) ; Kuželová, Kateřina (referee)
NG2 is a transmembrane glycoprotein, which takes part in cellular processes such as adhesion, migration or invasivity, i.e., in processes important in tissue development but also in tumor and metastasis formation. Among other things, NG2 leads to an inhibition of neurite growth, and probably plays an important role in amoeboid type of cell invasion. These processes are in many respects similar. Both in inhibition of neurite growth and in mesenchymal-amoeboid transition occur morphological changes which lead to a loss of cell protrusions and a transition to a rounded shape. In both of these processes Rho/ROCK signaling also plays a crucial role. Connection between NG2 and the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway has been indicated in the process of inhibition of neurite growth. The mechanism of Rho/ROCK signaling regulation by NG2 glycoprotein is, however, still unknown. In this thesis is proposed a molecular mechanism of Rho/ROCK pathway activation by glycoprotein NG2 which relies on the NG2/MUPP1/Syx signaling complex where the scaffold protein MUPP1, bound to activated NG2, enables binding and activation of the Syx protein. Syx then as RhoGEF activates Rho/ROCK signaling, and the activated Rho/ROCK pathway leads to inhibition of neurite growth, increased cell contractility and traction forces. These processes are...
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Molecular mechanisms of amoeboid invasion of cancer cells
Paňková, Daniela ; Brábek, Jan (advisor) ; Dvořák, Michal (referee) ; Vomastek, Tomáš (referee)
Tumour cell invasion is one of the most critical steps in malignant progression. It includes a broad spectrum of mechanisms, including both individual and collective cell migration, which enables them to spread towards adjacent tissue, and form new metastases. Understanding the mechanisms of cell spreading, and invasion, is crucial for effective anticancer therapy. Two modes of individual migration of tumour cells have been established in a three-dimensional environment. Mesenchymally migrating cells use proteases to cleave collagen bundles, and thus overcome the ECM barriers. Recently described protease-independent amoeboid mode of invasion has been discovered in studies of cancer cells with protease inhibitors. During my PhD study, I have focused on determining the molecular mechanisms involved in amoeboid invasion of tumour cells. We have examined invasive abilities in non-metastatic K2 and highly metastatic A3 rat sarcoma cell lines. We have shown that even though highly metastatic A3 rat sarcoma cells are of mesenchymal origin, they have upregulated Rho/ROCK signalling pathway. Moreover, A3 cells generate actomyosin-based mechanical forces at their leading edges to physically squeeze through the collagen fibrils by adopting an amoeboid phenotype. Amoeboid invasiveness is also less dependent on...
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The role of PKN family kinases in cancer
Novotná, Petra ; Rösel, Daniel (advisor) ; Ramaniuk, Volha (referee)
This bachelor thesis is focused on the PKN family of Ser/Thr kinases. This family includes three isoforms PKN1, PKN2 and PKN3. Especially it deals with the kinase PKN3 in more detail. These are kinases related to protein kinase C, belonging to the AGC superfamily. PKN kinases are activated via small G proteins of the Rho GTPase family or unsaturated fatty acids. PKN kinases are involved in many cellular processes, such as the regulation of cytoskeletal rearrangements, affect cell adhesion, cell movement, embryonic development and the cell cycle. Expression of PKN3 is particularly increased in cancer cells but is only present in small amounts in normal body cells. Therefore, PKN3 appears to be a very interesting therapeutic target for the treatment of cancer. Studies have shown that PKN3 has a significant effect on the motility of cancer cells, thus contributing to their migration and ability to form metastases.
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The assembly of perinuclear actin stress fibers and their role in cell movement
Votavová, Barbora ; Vomastek, Tomáš (advisor) ; Cvačková, Zuzana (referee)
Nucleus is the largest cellular organelle in animal cells. Due to its bulky nature and the stiffness of nuclear lamina the nucleus constitutes the substantial problem for migrating cells where nucleus has to move. The actomyosin generated forces and LINC (Linker of Nucleoskeleton and Cytoskeleton) complex, that is composed of SUN and nesprin proteins, play key role in nuclear movement. LINC complex mechanically couples nuclear lamina to the cytoskeleton and allows the forces exerted by the cytoskeleton to move the nucleus. Perinuclear actin fibers, also termed actin cap, mechanically link focal adhesions with nucleus and they may generate forces that position the nucleus in a way that is optimal for cellular movement. However, molecular mechanism of how perinuclear actin fibers and LINC complex orchestrate the nuclear movement and functional significance of this process remain poorly understood. The specific aim was to determine the mechanisms by which perinuclear actin fibers are formed and how are these mechanisms employed to facilitate cell migration. The role of LPA-RhoA signaling axis and LINC complex in the formation of perinuclear actin fibers was also examined. It was confirmed that LPA is essencial stimulus during actin cap formation. On the other hand, FAK kinase was found necessary for...
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Structure- and sequence-based identification of functionally important amino acids in a protein family
Peclinovská, Iveta ; Novotný, Marian (advisor) ; Pleskot, Roman (referee)
A group of small GTPases consist of over twenty protein families in the super class P-loop. It has a very diverse cell functions. Small GTPases regulate the formation of vesicular follicles, cytoskeleton and nuclear transport. They participate also on cell proliferation and signaling. The aim of my work is to find important amino acids that define family and distinguish each other. I focus on families Arf, Rab, Ran, Ras and Rho. At the Rho family I am also devoted to classes Rho, Rac and Cdc42. Amino acids are identified using bioinformatic programs selected Consurf and Sca5. The objective is also to test P2RANK specialized tool developed at the Charles University in Prague that predict ligand binding sites from protein structure in different families. Founding amino acids can have a big role in the functional divergence of individual families and classes of small GTPases and can be the basis for future study example for the proliferation of cancerous cells. 1.1 Keywords Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
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Molecular mechanisms of amoeboid invasion of cancer cells
Paňková, Daniela ; Brábek, Jan (advisor) ; Dvořák, Michal (referee) ; Vomastek, Tomáš (referee)
Tumour cell invasion is one of the most critical steps in malignant progression. It includes a broad spectrum of mechanisms, including both individual and collective cell migration, which enables them to spread towards adjacent tissue, and form new metastases. Understanding the mechanisms of cell spreading, and invasion, is crucial for effective anticancer therapy. Two modes of individual migration of tumour cells have been established in a three-dimensional environment. Mesenchymally migrating cells use proteases to cleave collagen bundles, and thus overcome the ECM barriers. Recently described protease-independent amoeboid mode of invasion has been discovered in studies of cancer cells with protease inhibitors. During my PhD study, I have focused on determining the molecular mechanisms involved in amoeboid invasion of tumour cells. We have examined invasive abilities in non-metastatic K2 and highly metastatic A3 rat sarcoma cell lines. We have shown that even though highly metastatic A3 rat sarcoma cells are of mesenchymal origin, they have upregulated Rho/ROCK signalling pathway. Moreover, A3 cells generate actomyosin-based mechanical forces at their leading edges to physically squeeze through the collagen fibrils by adopting an amoeboid phenotype. Amoeboid invasiveness is also less dependent on...
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The role of NG2 glycoprotein in the regulation of Rho/ROCK signaling.
Kratochvílová, Magdalena ; Rösel, Daniel (advisor) ; Libusová, Lenka (referee)
NG2 is a transmembrane glycoprotein mainly expressed in developing tissue, and often re-expressed in tumor cells. NG2 glycoprotein is an important regulator of cell migration and adhesion. Increased expression of NG2 enhances the metastatic potential of cancer cells. However, the molecular mechanisms of these processes are still not fully understood. An increasing number of evidences, in recent years, have shown that NG2 can be responsible for Rho/ROCK activation, which is essential for effective amoeboid invasiveness. In this thesis, we analysed the role of NG2 glycoprotein, especially the role of its PDZ- binding motif on amoeboid phenotype induction, and activation of Rho/ROCK signaling. Our results demonstrate the importance of the NG2 PDZ-binding motif on mesenchymal- amoeboid transition of cells in a 3D environment. Surprisingly, they show that the expression of both the NG2 cytoplasmatic domain and the truncated version, lacking the PDZ-binding motif, do not change the amount of Rho-GTP or the activation of the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway in 2D.
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The role of NG2 glycoprotein in regulation of Rho/ROCK signaling
Kratochvílová, Magdalena ; Rösel, Daniel (advisor) ; Kuželová, Kateřina (referee)
NG2 is a transmembrane glycoprotein, which takes part in cellular processes such as adhesion, migration or invasivity, i.e., in processes important in tissue development but also in tumor and metastasis formation. Among other things, NG2 leads to an inhibition of neurite growth, and probably plays an important role in amoeboid type of cell invasion. These processes are in many respects similar. Both in inhibition of neurite growth and in mesenchymal-amoeboid transition occur morphological changes which lead to a loss of cell protrusions and a transition to a rounded shape. In both of these processes Rho/ROCK signaling also plays a crucial role. Connection between NG2 and the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway has been indicated in the process of inhibition of neurite growth. The mechanism of Rho/ROCK signaling regulation by NG2 glycoprotein is, however, still unknown. In this thesis is proposed a molecular mechanism of Rho/ROCK pathway activation by glycoprotein NG2 which relies on the NG2/MUPP1/Syx signaling complex where the scaffold protein MUPP1, bound to activated NG2, enables binding and activation of the Syx protein. Syx then as RhoGEF activates Rho/ROCK signaling, and the activated Rho/ROCK pathway leads to inhibition of neurite growth, increased cell contractility and traction forces. These processes are...
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The role of protein kinase C alpha in individual cancer cell invasiveness
Szabadosová, Emília ; Brábek, Jan (advisor) ; Hlaváčková, Markéta (referee)
Protein kinase C alpha was one of the first identified isoenzyme of PKC family. Since then PKC has been shown to be important in various signal cascades. One of the best known role is in tumor invasiveness and in development of metastases. A role of protein kinase C alpha was pointed out in regulation of Rho/ROCK pathway in amoeboid invasiveness and also Raf/MAPK signaling cascade of mesenchymal movement. ERM proteins, which act in cancer invasiveness, are regulated by protein kinase C too.
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