Roadkill Study Could Speed Detection Of Kidney Cancer
Investigation of the genome of fruit flies has lead to an interesting discovery that could potential aid in the diagnosis and treatment of renal cell carcinoma. A team at the University of Chicago, led by Kevin White, has made a breakthrough involving the use of SPOP to confirm or rule out a diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma. In addition, it could potentially help determine the original source of cancers that have spread to other organs.
The study started by focusing on the “downstream effects” of two fruit fly genes known as Eve and Ftz. These genes control the early processes in the flies’ development. After looking through the network of genes directly affected by the the Eve and Ftz, which was 1074 and 1310 respectively, the study was able to narrow the total pool or directly affected genes down to 235. Ranking theses resulting genes with regards to their impact in fruit fly development, they found the CG9924 gene, also known as Roadkill, as the most important. The human equivalent of this gene, with about 80% similarity, is the SPOP gene.
As they looked into this gene, they found it not only had an effect on system development but played a role in human cancers as well. The study underwent a shift, focusing on genetics of human cancers. After screening tissue samples from 18 different tumor types, they found that renal cell carcinomas produced SPOP in higher amounts than normal kidney cells. During their investigation of renal cell cancer samples, they found that over 77% of the tissue samples were positive for high SPOP counts. In addition, all normal kidney samples were negative for SPOP. The most important finding was that 99 percent of clear cell renal cell carcinoma, a specific type of renal carcinoma, was positive for elevated levels of SPOP.
As noted, this finding plays an important role in diagnosis and treatment of renal cell carcinoma, as well as in identifying the primary tumor of metastatic cancers. I found this article interesting because it involved the renal system, a subject we’ve been discussing recently in class
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090127090725.htm
Shawn Schepel
VTPP 435 - 501
The study started by focusing on the “downstream effects” of two fruit fly genes known as Eve and Ftz. These genes control the early processes in the flies’ development. After looking through the network of genes directly affected by the the Eve and Ftz, which was 1074 and 1310 respectively, the study was able to narrow the total pool or directly affected genes down to 235. Ranking theses resulting genes with regards to their impact in fruit fly development, they found the CG9924 gene, also known as Roadkill, as the most important. The human equivalent of this gene, with about 80% similarity, is the SPOP gene.
As they looked into this gene, they found it not only had an effect on system development but played a role in human cancers as well. The study underwent a shift, focusing on genetics of human cancers. After screening tissue samples from 18 different tumor types, they found that renal cell carcinomas produced SPOP in higher amounts than normal kidney cells. During their investigation of renal cell cancer samples, they found that over 77% of the tissue samples were positive for high SPOP counts. In addition, all normal kidney samples were negative for SPOP. The most important finding was that 99 percent of clear cell renal cell carcinoma, a specific type of renal carcinoma, was positive for elevated levels of SPOP.
As noted, this finding plays an important role in diagnosis and treatment of renal cell carcinoma, as well as in identifying the primary tumor of metastatic cancers. I found this article interesting because it involved the renal system, a subject we’ve been discussing recently in class
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090127090725.htm
Shawn Schepel
VTPP 435 - 501
posted by Shawn Schepel at 10:15 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home