EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX ON B-CASEIN GENE EXPRESS IN NORMAL MAMMARY EPITHELIAL CELL

这个子项目是许多研究子项目中的一个 由NIH/NCRR资助的中心赠款提供的资源。子项目和 研究者（PI）可能从另一个NIH来源获得了主要资金， 因此可在其他CRISP条目中表示。所列机构为 研究中心，而研究中心不一定是研究者所在的机构。 高等生物的细胞发育在一定程度上是由细胞核与周围细胞外环境之间的通讯控制的，越来越多的证据表明，细胞遗传物质结构的变化是调节这种通讯的核心。细胞外环境不能与细胞核正确沟通是肿瘤发展的标志之一。我们已经开发了一个模型系统，其中正常的乳腺上皮细胞响应生理相关的三维，层粘连蛋白丰富的基底膜（IrBM）进行功能分化。该试验将用于确定细胞外环境如何以调节特定基因表达的方式影响细胞遗传物质的结构和组织。为了确定这些变化，我们将采用生物化学和显微镜技术相结合。 表征细胞外环境对乳腺细胞发育的作用将有助于更好地了解正常乳腺细胞发育和基因表达，也可能对乳腺肿瘤发生和疾病干预产生影响。

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Cell development in higher organisms is controlled in part by communication between the nucleus and the surrounding extracellular environment, and accumulating evidence shows that changes in the structure of a cell''''s genetic material are central to the regulation of this communication. The inability of the extracellular environment to communicate properly with the nucleus is one of the hallmarks of tumor development. We have developed a model system in which normal mammary epithelial cells respond to a physiologically relevant three-dimensional, laminin-rich basement membrane (IrBM) by undergoing a functional differentiation. This assay will be used to determine how the extracellular environment influences the structure and organization of a cell's genetic material in a manner that regulates the expression of specific genes. To identify these changes, we will employ a combination of biochemical and microscopy techniques. Characterizing the role of the extracellular environment on mammary cell development will contribute towards a better understanding of normal breast cell development and gene expression and may also have implications for breast tumorigenesis and disease intervention.