Demonstrating the Link Between MUC15 Expression and Ovarian Cancer Metastasis Through Downregulation of PI3K/AKT Signaling

Abstract

Ovarian cancer is a highly aggressive and deadly form of cancer. Diagnosis at early stages is difficult, leading to limited treatment options and low survival rates. Therefore, studies to understand both progression and treatment are necessary to improve outcomes for individuals affected by this disease. Previous work has shown that there is a relationship between surface shear stress and the initiation of epithelial to mesenchymal transitions which increases the migratory and invasive potential of the primary tumor with subsequent metastasis. Additionally, expression of the surface marker Mucin-15 (MUC15) has been shown to downregulate the migratory potential of the primary tumor. This project attempts to explain the relationship between MUC15 expression in ovarian cancer cells, and the downregulation of the proliferative PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Amounts of phosphorylated and unphosphorylated AKT were measured via western blotting of samples taken from cell lines engineered to express MUC15 at varying levels. While results did not show the expected expression patterns, future work should be done to continue to analyze the molecular mechanisms of shear initiated transformation and metastasis.