Gene expression analysis of pluripotency related genes in breast cancer after treatment with epigenetic drugs

Abstract

Stem cells are the foundation stones upon which the entire developmental opera is enacted and the basis of cellular differentiation and functional specialization is laid down. The most important contributor in this act are the four core transcriptional regulators which stringently control the gene expression system to script a transcriptional program that maintains pluripotency and also guides cellular differentiation for functional phenotypes. The resultant transcriptional outcome is determined by epigenetic machinery. This system is also responsible for generating cancer stem cells which cause tumor resistance and recurrence. The present project is designed to study the epigenetic regulatory mechanism behind gene expression status of pluripotency genes –OCT4, SOX2, NANOG and KLF4 after treatment with various epigenetic modulators that affect cell growth and survival in breast cancer. The project will open up avenues for better management of caner and provide strategies for efficient cancer treatment