Protein-protein interactions of the nuclear receprot NR4A2
Abstract
The Gastroenterology and Molecular cell biology research group examines biological
mechanisms that are important in the development of gastric cancer. The peptide
hormone gastrin is known to play a role in organization and maintenance of the
gastric epithelium, however, its role in carcinogenesis is debated. Gastrin induces the
expression of the nuclear transcription factor NR4A2. NR4A2 expression has been
suggested as prognostic factors and potential therapeutic targets for patients with
different cancer types, including gastric cancer. The biological functions of NR4A2 in
tumors and the prognostic significance are incomplete and needs to be further studied.
Recent studies indicate that NR4A2 protein-protein interactions as well as its subcellular
localization are of vital importance when it comes to the specific cellular
response. The aim of this study was to characterize interacting partners of NR4A2 in
cellular model systems.
In the present study, the expression of the CCK2 receptor and gastrin induced NR4A2
expression in gastric carcinoma cell lines were examined. The MKN45 and HEK293
cells were used to characterize protein-protein interactions of NR4A2. No interactions
were observed between NR4A2 and the proteins initially hypothesized to bind to
NR4A2. However, Mass Spectrometry in combination with immunoprecipitation
identified several potential binding partners. This thesis provides an overview of
potential interactions partners of NR4A2 that may be important in gastric cancer and
can provide candidate proteins for further work.