Tumor invasiveness in human oral cancer is one of the most direct prognostic indicators of patient survival. Aberrant expression of the cell adhesion molecule N-cadherin has been correlated with increased invasiveness in both cell culture models and in human oral cancers. The long term goal underlying the proposed research is to define the role of N-cadherin in oral tumor progression. This proposal will examine the molecular mechanisms associated with N-cadherin mediated invasion in both cell culture and animal models of oral cancer. Oral squamous tumor cell lines that express either low or high levels of N-cadherin will be used to identify N-cadherin-mediated signaling pathways that contribute to the invasive phenotype. N-cadherin mutants will also be utilized to identify structural features of N-cadherin that modulate invasive signaling. A transgenic mouse that ectopically expresses N-cadherin in the oral epithelia has been developed and will be used to examine the role of N-cadherin on the invasiveness of chemically-induced oral tumors. This work will facilitate a better understanding of the mechanisms associated with oral tumor (progression, and may provide novel targets for the development of new treatment strategies for oral cancer. ? ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
1F32DE017516-01
Application #
7113467
Study Section
NIDCR Special Grants Review Committee (DSR)
Program Officer
Avila, Albert
Project Start
2006-06-01
Project End
2007-05-31
Budget Start
2006-06-01
Budget End
2007-05-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$58,836
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
168559177
City
Omaha
State
NE
Country
United States
Zip Code
68198
Walker, Andrew; Frei, Rhett; Lawson, Kathryn R (2014) The cytoplasmic domain of N-cadherin modulates MMP?9 induction in oral squamous carcinoma cells. Int J Oncol 45:1699-706