Identification and functional evaluation of activin A target genes in the normal and neoplastic mammalian testis: clues to gonocyte fate choice
thesis
posted on 2019-07-01, 00:38authored byMACIEJ SZAREK
The rate of testicular cancer is increasing. Although we don’t understand exactly how it develops. We know that receptors for one particular growth factor, activin A, are present on testis cancer cells. Activin A signalling may influence the migration of these cells; as indicated by upregulation of important migratory molecules (CXCL12, CCL17), their receptors (CXCR4, CXCR7) and enzymes (MMP2 and MMP9). We hypothesized that activin A influences these molecules, thereby stimulating testicular cancer progression. The demonstration that activin A changes the levels of these important molecules during a critical period of development highlights the importance of understanding this mechanism, which may underpin testicular cancer formation.
History
Principal supervisor
Kate Loveland
Year of Award
2019
Department, School or Centre
Central Clinical School
Additional Institution or Organisation
Molecular and Translational Science (Hudson Institute)