Computational Phenomics and Thorough Biological Characterization Uncovers a Novel Tumor Suppressor
Speaker
Yves Lussier, Associate Sr. Fellow
Date
April 15, 2010, 4:00 pm–5:00 pm
Location
KCBD, Room 1103
University of Chicago
Description
IGSB Fellows Seminar Series
Yves Lussier, M.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Medicine
Section of Genetic Medicine
The University of Chicago
“Computational Phenomics and Thorough Biological Characterization Uncovers
a Novel Tumor Suppressor microRNA and its Regulatory Network”
Thursday, April 15, 2010
4:00 p.m.
Knapp Center for Biomedical Discovery, Room 1103
900 E. 57th Street
Abstract:
MicroRNAs are important regulators of oncogenesis. Yet, genome-scale key regulatory networks and biological systems perturbed by altered microRNA functions in cancer remain to be identified since previous studies biologically confirmed only a few genes as microRNA targets. Here, we demonstrate for the first time how a large amount of phenotypic knowledge of inheritable cancer traits can be utilized jointly with microRNA-target predictions, based on sequence alignment, and with gene expression analysis to bioinformatically predict deregulated microRNAs, their targets, and their combined functions at multiple scales of biology. Our approach further uncovers previously unknown connections between microRNAs, gene network topology, and gene expression dynamics. We predict, in silico, the presence, functions, and gene targets of miR-204, a new tumor suppressor microRNA, in a head and neck cancer-associated genomic region where a candidate gene has not been identified. We then confirm their validity with thorough biological characterization in vitro and show reduction of lung metastasis in vivo. This is the first time that a large predicted microRNA-regulated network achieves full biological validation.
Liza Herendeen
Administrative Assistant
Institute for Genomics & Systems Biology
The University of Chicago
900 East 57th Street, KCBD 10100
Chicago, IL 60637
(773) 834-3913
Fax: (773) 834-2877
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
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