RNA transcripts regulated by LIN28a in human medulloblastoma cells

• Grant number: 12/23132-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2013
• End date: March 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biology
• Principal Investigator: Oswaldo Keith Okamoto
• Grantee: Fábio Baldívia Pohl
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Medulloblastoma is the most common type of intracranial tumor in children, usually presenting an unfavorable clinical prognosis. Current treatment is inefficient and may cause serious side effects, including cognitive deficits. Recent studies have shown that malignant tumors may develop from the transformation of stem cells or by aberrant expression of genes involved in pluripotency, for example, those encoding transcription factor OCT4 and RNA binding protein LIN28a. LIN28a controls the biogenesis of microRNAs as the Let-7, and also the translation of mRNA transcripts. In this project, we will use the techniques of co-immunoprecipitation with antibody against LIN28a and analysis of transcripts by real-time PCR, to identify RNA transcripts that interact specifically with LIN28a in human medulloblastoma cells. We will also test a protocol for gene silencing in order to understand the relevance of LIN28a in the process of tumorigenesis in the central nervous system.(AU)