Biochemistry and Cancer Biology

Current research conducted by faculty members of the Department of Biochemistry and Biology.

MMC and VICC: Partners in eliminating cancer disparities: faculty recruitment
Researcher: Samuel Evans Adunyah, Ph.D.
Funding Source: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Project Summary: The overall objectives of this project are to strengthen and expand the existing partnership for cancer research between Meharry Medical College (MMC) and the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) to achieve three ends: (1) to increase and stabilize the competitive cancer research capability of Meharry; (2) to create stable, long term collaborative relationships between MMC and the VICC in cancer research, research training and career development; (3) to promote, enable and cement a stable, reciprocal, long-term partnership between MMC and VICC based on mutually beneficial research excellence.

MMC and VICC: Partners in eliminating cancer disparities: biobaknking managment program (BMaP) (ARRA)
Researcher: Samuel Evans Adunyah, Ph.D.
Funding Source: National Cancer Institute
Project Summary: The overall objectives of this competing continuation application are to strengthen and expand the existing partnership for cancer research between Meharry Medical College (MMC) and the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) to achieve three ends: (1) to increase and stabilize the competitive cancer research capability of MMC; (2) to create stable, long term collaborative relationships between MMC and the VICC in cancer research, research training and career development; (3) to promote, enable and cement a stable, reciprocal, long-term partnership between MMC and VICC based on mutually beneficial research excellence.

Initiation patterns of DNA replication in cancer cell lines
Researcher: Manuel Valenzuela, Ph.D.
Funding Source: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Project Summary: Duplication of the human genome depends on the activation of thousands of initiation sites where DNA synthesis is programmed to start. However, in spite of great advances in the field it is not clear what the distribution is of these sites along each one of the chromosomes, nor whether this distribution changes with the physiological state of the cell. The team's long-term goal is to obtain a detailed map of these sites along human chromosomes to deduce initiation signatures that may allow them to distinguish normal from abnormally growing cells, thus providing a tool to detect early stages of abnormal cell proliferation. The team is particularly examining chromosome regions associated with breast cancer.

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor and breast cancer
Researcher: Sakina Eltom, Ph.D.
Funding Source: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Project Summary: This study is attempting to define the role AhR plays in invasive breast cancer metastasis, thus establishing it as an independent survival prognostic factor. Studies will also lead to a better understanding of the molecular action of AhR and its ligand-independent activation in advanced breast cancer, thereby providing a unique target for therapeutic interventions.

Mechanisms for B(a)P-induced colon cancer exacerbation by dietary fat
Researcher:Aramandla Ramesh, Ph.D.
Funding Source: National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Project Summary:This project looks into how environmental toxicants such as benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P] cause colorectal cancer. It also focuses on how consumption of foods rich in fat accelerates the development of environmentally induced (sporadic) colorectal cancer.

Role of fetuin-A in tumor cell growth
Researcher: Josiah Ochieng, Ph.D.
Funding source: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Project Summary: The working hypothesis for this project is that the liver derived glycoprotein (fetuin-A), promotes tumor cell growth via exosomes that mediate adhesive and motility signaling mechanisms. Dr. Ochieng believes fetuin-A is not only relevant in in vitro cell growth (it is the major serum protein in fetal bovine serum) but more importantly, in the in vivo growth of tumor cells in rodents and humans. Cell and molecular biology techniques are routinely used to uncover the novel mechanisms involved. He believes the exosomes released by fetuin-A in tumor cells are major growth, motility and invasion drivers during cancer metastasis. The long term goal is to define the growth mechanisms involved in this novel pathway to enable us to design small molecules capable of blocking specific stages of the pathway to blunt or abrogate tumor cell growth in vivo.

Roles of inflammation-driven chemokines in the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer (SC1)
Researcher: Deok-Soo Son, Ph.D.
Funding Source: National Institute of Allergy/Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Project Summary: Ovarian cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, after the cancer has spread beyond the ovary, and results in the highest mortality of all cancers of the female reproductive system. Although the precise etiology remains unknown, mounting evidence indicates an impact of inflammation on the development, growth, and progression of ovarian cancer. This project seeks to define the roles of inflammation-driven chemokines in the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer and provide a firm foundation for future long-term survival rates—both for ovarian cancer and other tumors related to inflammation.

Molecular mechanisms of prostate tumorigenesis
Researcher: Zhenbang Chen, Ph.D.
Funding Source:National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Project Summary: Prostate cancer (PCa) is a prevailing disease among African American men and is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in American men. Surgery, radiation therapy, and androgen-deprivation therapy have been developed and applied widely to control PCa; however, prostate cancer patients still died of Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer (CRPC). Dr. Chen's team is exploring the molecular signaling pathways that contribute to PCa, particularly the Pten-P13K-Akt pathway, p53 loss, and Skp2 activation, which are commonly found in CRPC.

Pten-loss dysregulated pathways in prostate cancer
Researcher: Zhenbang Chen, Ph.D.
Funding Source:National Minority Health/Health Disparities (NCMHD)
Project Summary: Prostate Cancer (PCa) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths (after lung cancer) in American men, and the morbidity and the mortality to PCa are even higher in African American men as compared Caucasians.The goal of this project is to elucidate Pten-loss dysregulated pathways in prostate cancer (PCa) by defining novel roles of p19Arf in prostate cancer progression including castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) growth. Results will provide significant insights into understanding of mechanisms on the incidence and the mortality of PCa, and disparities among ethnic and racial groups.

Improving NK cell adoptive immunotherapy in breast cancer by combinatorial bortezomib and Notch DLL1 treatments
Researcher: Anil Shanker, Ph.D.
Funding Source: National Center for Research Resources (NCRR), (MeTRC)
Project Summary: The body continuously tries to control the appearance of cancer, and cancerous cells continuously try to suppress the body's immune system. This research is attempting to stop tumor cells with a one-two drug punch. One treatment makes the cancer cells easier for the body to kill, and another treatment amps up the body's cancer killing cells.

Antiproliferative effects of soy peptides on breast cancer cells
Researcher: Salil K. Das, Sc.D., D.Sc.
Funding Source: Fuji Oil Company
Project Summary: This study havs established TSPO [translocator protein formerly referred as peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR)] as a biomarker of breast cancer. The beneficial effect of soy protein was demonstrated in our laboratory to be mediated by down-regulation of the expression of TSPO and associated target genes in inflammatory pathway. Soy protein is hydrolyzed in the gut to small peptides which are easily absorbed and involved in cellular function. It is known that small peptides are absorbed better than free amino acids via peptide transporter in the gut. Fuji Oil Company, Osaka, Japan has recently isolated a product called Hinute-AM from soy protein and it contains a mixture of di- and tri-peptides. This product has been shown to alleviate colon and ileum inflammation in experimental animals. Dr. Das has recently signed a contractual agreement with Fuji Oil Company to test whether Hinute-AM has an antiproliferative effect on human breast cancer cell lines, and if so, what is the underlying mechanism. This study hopefully will lead to develop a therapeutic strategy against breast cancer and possibly other cancers.

Inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal malignancy
Researcher: Amosy E. M'Koma, M.D., Ph.D.
Funding source: U54 cancer partnership grant (MMC-VICC)
Project Summary: This research specializes in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn's colitis (CC), indeterminate colitis (IC) and associated colorectal carcinogenesis. Its particular specialty is diagnostic methodologies, specifically as they relate to the biopathophysiology of IBD. The research efforts are directed towards developing strategic methodologies to identify proteomic patterns that are (i) IBD phenotype delineator and (ii) oncogenic. Researchers use MALDI MS technology to mining human colon mucosal and sub-mucosal layers to analyze proteins of interest. The proteins that are primarily found in the mucosa would be amenable to proteomic interrogation from endoscopic biopsies and those in the sub-mucosa would have the potential to become amenable to proteomic studies in the serum as biomarker(s). These proteins may provide a powerful screening tool in early pre-neoplastic detection in histologically normal epithelium as well as delineation of IBD by non-invasive, easier, affordable, accurate and faster screening. An accurate diagnosis is of paramount importance in terms of evidenced personalized medical therapy, surgical intervention and prognosis.