The Investigation of Protein C Receptor Expression in Prostate Cancer Tumor Progression
Session Title
Poster Session 1
Faculty Mentor
Laura Glasscock, Ph.D.| Daniel Stovall, Ph.D.| Salvatore Blair, Ph.D.
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Biology
Abstract
Prostate cancer (CaP) is one of the most common cancers among men in the world. The lack of symptoms and specific diagnostic markers for CaP creates difficulty in diagnosis. For example, prostate specific antigen (PSA) is a protein expressed in normal epithelial cells within the prostate and is increased in the serum of men with CaP.However, PSA is also elevated in men with other prostate disorders. Thus, PSA is not an absolute marker CaP. The use of a more specific tissue/serum marker of CaP is necessary to increase diagnostic efficiency and CaP survival. Previous research in the lab has revealed a relationship between the expression of proteins in the anticoagulant protein C system and CaP. Specifically, CaP tissue samples have elevated levels of endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) in comparison to men without CaP.The current study evaluated serum EPCR concentrations in men with CaP and the expression of EPCR in a CaP cell line.Using ELISAs, we determined that men with CaP have elevated concentrations of serum EPCR compared to healthy controls.We also determined by Western blotting that EPCR is expressed in vitro by a CaP cell line.We conclude that EPCR is expressed by CaP cells and that patients with CaP have elevated concentrations of serum EPCR.These data indicate that EPCR could be used as a serum marker for CaP.Establishing that EPCR is expressed in vitro by a CaP cell line lays the groundwork for future studies into the role of EPCR in CaP.
Honors Thesis Committee
Laura Glasscock, Ph.D., Daniel Stovall, Ph.D., Salvatore Blair, Ph.D.
Previously Presented/Performed?
Association of Southeastern Biologists Annual Meeting, Winston-Salem, NC, March 2023 | Winthrop University Showcase of Winthrop University Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors, Rock Hill, SC, April 2023
Type of Presentation
Poster presentation
Start Date
15-4-2023 12:00 PM
The Investigation of Protein C Receptor Expression in Prostate Cancer Tumor Progression
Prostate cancer (CaP) is one of the most common cancers among men in the world. The lack of symptoms and specific diagnostic markers for CaP creates difficulty in diagnosis. For example, prostate specific antigen (PSA) is a protein expressed in normal epithelial cells within the prostate and is increased in the serum of men with CaP.However, PSA is also elevated in men with other prostate disorders. Thus, PSA is not an absolute marker CaP. The use of a more specific tissue/serum marker of CaP is necessary to increase diagnostic efficiency and CaP survival. Previous research in the lab has revealed a relationship between the expression of proteins in the anticoagulant protein C system and CaP. Specifically, CaP tissue samples have elevated levels of endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) in comparison to men without CaP.The current study evaluated serum EPCR concentrations in men with CaP and the expression of EPCR in a CaP cell line.Using ELISAs, we determined that men with CaP have elevated concentrations of serum EPCR compared to healthy controls.We also determined by Western blotting that EPCR is expressed in vitro by a CaP cell line.We conclude that EPCR is expressed by CaP cells and that patients with CaP have elevated concentrations of serum EPCR.These data indicate that EPCR could be used as a serum marker for CaP.Establishing that EPCR is expressed in vitro by a CaP cell line lays the groundwork for future studies into the role of EPCR in CaP.
