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Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

transfected RNA, splicing in the cell, disease, treatment

College

Physical and Mathematical Sciences

Department

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Abstract

Among the fastest moving areas of research today is that of RNA splicing and protein synthesis. Recently, a new gene (Cyclooxygenase-2) was discovered that encodes a protein in chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF-147) believed to be involved in the synthesis of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are naturally occurring fatty acids that can lower blood pressure, regulate acid secretion of the stomach, regulate body temperature, control inflammation, and can affect the action of certain hormones. This novel gene is found in tumor cells in the colon. When the tumor cells become malignant the gene becomes extremely active, thus producing more of its corresponding protein which in turn increases the rate of prostaglandin synthesis. This increase in prostaglandin synthesis is what can elicit some of the symptoms associated with colorectal cancer. In order to study the effects of this process we must understand the mechanism by which this gene becomes active. To do this we must induce cells containing this gene to produce it in great quantities. This is accomplished by mitogen stimulation or by activation of a cancer gene called Src, both of which turn on cellular division at a high rate.

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