Identification of drug sensitive gene motifs using “epigenetic profiles” derived from bioinformatics databases

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Jonathan Nelson (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
Karen Katula

Abstract: The use of epigenetic modifying drugs such as DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTi) and histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) is becoming more common in the treatment of cancer. Currently, there is a profound interest in determining predictive biomarkers for patient response and the efficacy of known and novel drugs. There are likely distinct “epigenetic profiles” defined by the location and abundance of DNA methylation patterns and histone modifications. Here we propose to investigate the response of a selected subset of genes to particular DNMTi and HDACi treatments, in two human cancer cell lines, colorectal carcinoma HCT-116 and liver adenocarcinoma HepG2. In this study we identified unique epigenetic profiles based on microarray and bioinformatics derived epigenetic data that are predictive of the response to epigenetic drug treatment. Microarray studies were used to identify re-activated genes common in two different cancer cell types treated with epigenetic drugs. Bioinformatics data was compiled on these genes and correlated against re-expression to construct the genes’ “epigenetic profile”. We then verified the response of the select group of genes in HCT-116 and HepG2 upon treatment at varying concentrations of epigenetic drugs and illustrated that selective reactivation of the target gene. Additionally, two novel genes were introduced and one selectively activated over another. Further research would prove invaluable for the medical and drug development communities, as a more extensive model would certainly be of use to determining patient response to drug treatment based on their individual epigenetic profile and leading to more successful novel drug design.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Language: English
Date: 2016
Keywords
5-AZA, 5-Azacytidine, Bioinformatics, Epigenetics, Microarray, SAHA
Subjects
Cancer $x Genetic aspects
DNA $x Methylation
Methyltransferases $x Inhibitors
Histone deacetylase $x Inhibitors
Azacitidine
Bioinformatics
Epigenetics

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