Faculty Advisor
DeMarais, Alyce
Area of Study
Science and Mathematics
Publication Date
Summer 2015
Abstract
The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway regulates genes involved in proliferation (cell growth) and apoptosis (cell death). It has been implicated in ovarian cancer, where higher levels of β-catenin may be involved in the development of tumors. Steroid hormones play a significant role in female reproductive tissue, and studies have shown that estrogens and progestins may regulate the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. My past research suggested testosterone may also affect the pathway. Few studies have investigated how steroid hormone mimics, such as Bisphenol A (BPA), affect these regulatory patterns. This study investigated the affect of estrogen and BPA on the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in Danio rerio ovarian tissue through quantitative PCR analysis. Data showed that concentrations of β-catenin and GSK-3β mRNA, markers for the pathway, were affected in dose-dependent manners according to the steroid hormone concentration (1, 10, 100 ng/mL). Target genes for the pathway, p53 and c-MYC, also had dose-dependent responses. Future research strives to clarify patterns within the data and determine whether there are any significant relationships between the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and estrogen and/or BPA.
Recommended Citation
Casey, Macaulie, "Regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway by steroid hormones in Danio rerio ovarian tissue" (2015). Summer Research. 236.
https://soundideas.pugetsound.edu/summer_research/236
Rights
Publisher
University of Puget Sound
Funding Description