Functional Genomics Based Interrogation of Cell-Fate Determination Pathways

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dc.contributor.advisorLum, Lawrenceen
dc.creatorJacob, Leni Susanen
dc.date.accessioned2011-08-26T17:34:56Z
dc.date.available2011-08-26T17:34:56Z
dc.date.issued2011-08-10
dc.description.abstractThe Hedgehog (Hh) and Wnt signal transduction pathways are master regulators of embryogenesis and tissue renewal and represent anticancer therapeutic targets. Using genome-wide RNA interference screening in murine cultured cells, I established previously unknown associations between these signaling pathways and genes linked to developmental malformations, diseases of premature tissue degeneration, and cancer. I identified functions in both pathways for the multitasking kinase Stk11 (also known as Lkb1), a tumor suppressor implicated in lung and cervical cancers. Stk11 loss resulted in disassembly of the primary cilium, a cellular organizing center for Hh pathway components, thus dampening Hh signaling. Loss of Stk11 also induced aberrant signaling through the Wnt pathway. Chemicals that targeted the Wnt acyltransferase Porcupine or that restored primary cilia length by inhibiting the tubulin deacetylase HDAC6 (histone deacetylase 6) countered deviant pathway activities driven by Stk11 loss. My study demonstrates that Stk11 is a critical mediator in both the Hh and the Wnt pathways, and that functional genomics based approaches to dissecting cell-fate determination pathways may support the development of targeted therapeutic strategies.en
dc.identifier.oclc758977149
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/2152.5/884
dc.language.isoenen
dc.subjectSignal Transductionen
dc.subjectProtein-Serine-Threonine Kinasesen
dc.subjectWnt Proteinsen
dc.titleFunctional Genomics Based Interrogation of Cell-Fate Determination Pathwaysen
dc.typeThesisen
dc.type.materialTexten
thesis.date.available2013-08-10
thesis.degree.departmentGraduate School of Biomedical Sciencesen
thesis.degree.disciplineGenetics and Developmenten
thesis.degree.grantorUT Southwestern Medical Centeren
thesis.degree.levelDoctoralen
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophyen

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