The role of Gαq signaling on β-Catenin expression in HEK293T cells

Introduction and Aim: Colorectal cancers are malignancies of colon and (or) rectum and are among the most common cancers in many countries including Iran. Colon cancer originates from gastrointestinal epithelial cells carrying one or more mutations in the genes encoding some components of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. These mutations normally lead to upregulation of this signaling pathway. In fact deregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway occurs in more than 85% of colon cancers. Here we are going to investigate the role of Gαq signaling in the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signal transduction using human embryonic kidney 293T cells (HEK293T) as a cell system. Methods: We culture human embryonic kidney 293T cell lines (HEK293T) in DMEM medium containing 10% FBS. Then we use a calcium phosphate method for transfection of the chosen genes into the cells. We also use, immunofluorescence microscopy analysis to measure β-catenin protein levels, and β-catenin cellular localization.Results: Our previous results have indicated that β-catenin protein levels increase in response to Gαq activation. We are going to study the mechanism of this increase.Conclusion: Due to the critical role of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the developments of colon cancer, the results of our study could enhance our knowledge of the regulation of this signaling pathway in colon cancer and other human malignancies.

کلیدواژه ها:

β-catenin ، HEK293T ، Gαq ، colon cancer