The study of APC gene and its expression in vitro

Project leader: Soňa Čierniková
Project duration: 2013 - 2016

amilial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by the presence of polyps in the colon and rectum, with inevitable malignant transformation in 95% if left untreated. This disease is caused by germline mutations in the APC gene. Inactivated mutation can be also found at 75-80% of sporadic forms of colorectal cancer. Human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells Caco-2 represent a very suitable model to study the effect of heterologous expression of APC protein. The main goal of submitted project is to prepare Caco-2 cells transfected with expression plasmid bearing wild-type APC gene and co-culture cells with recombinant bacteria. Subsequent monitoring of APC protein expression and immune cell response via cytokines levels, together with detection of biological/morphological changes would provide the answer to the potential positive effect of "therapeutic" bacteria. The expression of APC protein in transformed probiotic strain E. Coli Nissle 1917 may be suitable for clinical use.