Expression and functional characterization of DNA repair genes in genomic stability of glioblastoma multiforme cells

• Grant number: 15/13668-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2016
• End date: July 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Cytology and Cell Biology
• Principal Investigator: Valeria Valente
• Grantee: Barbara Colatto Fernandes
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCFAR). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Previous results from our group showed that several genes involved in DNA-damage signaling and repair are consistently over-expressed in glioblastoma multiforme (GBMs), the highest-grade and most common primary brain tumor. The process of malignant transformation is characterized by uncontrolled cellular proliferation associated with the accumulation of mutations, which can be generated spontaneously or by exposure to harmful agents, such as UV radiation and reactive oxygen species. It has been suggested in the literature and by data of our laboratory that increased DNA repair capacity can be associated with tumor progression, providing higher resistance, genomic stability and proliferative potential to cancer cells. Therefore, characterization of DNA repair genes roles in the maintenance of genome stability of GBM cells can help to understand tumor progression and provide subsides for the development of novel therapies. Thus, in this project we aim to confirm the over-expression of previously selected DNA repair genes in different GBM cell lines and investigate if their function is required to maintain the genomic stability of these cells.