Molecular Detection in Cancer: Understanding Protein Levels, Gene Expression, and Mutations
This resource explores molecular detection techniques in cancer, focusing on specific proteins, gene expression, mutations, and epigenetic changes. It highlights methods to detect the presence or absence of proteins using tests like the Biuret Test, as well as how RNA is purified and converted to DNA for gene expression analysis. Additionally, the resource delves into identifying mutations in proteins and determining epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation. Understanding these molecular markers is crucial as they can indicate the presence of cancer-specific changes.
Molecular Detection in Cancer: Understanding Protein Levels, Gene Expression, and Mutations
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Presentation Transcript
Molecular Detection In Cancer
What do they detect? • Specific proteins • Expression of certain genes • Mutations • Epigenetic Changes
Specific Proteins • Wide range of proteins that can be detected • Wide variety of tests that can be done • Absence or Presence of proteins: Biuret Test • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3cy83X8s9k • Detect levels of proteins: • immunoturbidimetry [1]
Expression of genes • Determine which genes are expressed from RNA in the cells • RNA is purified • Converted to DNA • Fluorescent! • The more RNA, the brighter the sample. [2]
Mutations • Detect mutations in proteins • Similar in technique to the detection of expression of genes [3]
Epigenetic Changes • Determining epigenetic changes: • DNA methyltransferase activity • Density of chromatin • Histones • Promoter methylation [3]
Why? • Many molecules are up regulated in cancer cells or only appear in cancer cells • Eg. Mutant proteins, such as Ras • Eg. Growth receptor proteins • Some genes are methylated in cancer • Tumor suppressor genes • Many things are mutated to give cancer cells an edge • Eg. Protein p53
Molecular Spies • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG1J5e6-uT4
References • http://www.cancerquest.org/molecular-cancer-detection.html • http://www.clinchem.org/content/50/11/2179.full.pdf+html • http://www.randox.com/specific-proteins.php • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biuret_test [1] http://www.randox.com/brochures/PDF%20Brochure/LT113.pdf • http://www.randox.com/brochures/PDF%20Brochure/LT137.pdf • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA_microarray [2] • http://www.cmaj.ca/content/167/3/275.full [3] • http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/cells/nucleus/chromatin.html [4]