Proteome-based Biomarker Discovery in Prostate Cancer; Building the Heme-oxygenase (HO-1) Interactome

GERALDINE GUERON

Maryland

Congreso; Prostate Cancer Foundation Annual Retreat 2013; 2013

Prostate Cancer Foundation

Molecular medicine of cancer is moving beyond genomics to proteomics. Protein-protein interactions that drive biological outcomes can be characterized as fluctuating information currents within the cell and the organism. The visualization of the interconnecting protein ??circuitry?? inside and outside a cell could have a profound effect on the biology of cancer, understanding of disease mechanisms and cogent drug design. We have previously shown the anti-tumoral role of HO-1 (rate limiting enzyme in heme degradation), in prostate cancer (PCa). Our hypothesis relies in that HO-1 and its interactors could reprogram the PCa cells and modify the tumoral microenvironment, favoring a less aggressive tumor phenotype. We seek to identify molecular partners by which HO-1 could impair the cellular processes that promote prostate tumorigenesis. These molecular partners could potentially be tested as biomarkers and be selected to define a subtype of PCa patients who require an alternative therapeutic option. In this proposal we will employ a proteomic and bioinformatics-based approach together with tissue microarray technology for the discovery of predictive PCa biomarker candidates