Date of Award
2009
Publication Type
Master Thesis
Degree Name
M.Sc.
Department
Biological Sciences
Keywords
Biological sciences
Supervisor
Lisa Porter
Rights
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Abstract
Spy1A is an essential cell cycle protein, functioning similar to a cyclin, activating the cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) family and enhancing cell growth processes. This body of research confirms that Spy1A protein is tightly regulated during mammary gland development. Utilization of a murine mammary fat pad transplant model demonstrates that ectopic Spy1A expression increases the rate of cell proliferation, leading to precocious mammary gland development and acceleration of breast cell tumorigenesis. Additionally, Spy1A protein was present in the invasive breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231, and in human female brain cancers metastasized from primary breast tumors. It was also shown that Spy1A interacts with Axin, elucidating a potential role of Spy1A in the Wnt signaling pathway. Knowledge provided from this research contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of cellular mechanisms underlying the development and progression of breast cancer, highlighting Spy1A as a potential biomarker for diagnosis of invasive breast cancers.
Recommended Citation
Myers, Dorothy C., "Spy1's Role in Breast Cell Tumorigenesis" (2009). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 8031.
https://scholar.uwindsor.ca/etd/8031