In Vitro Selection of RNA Aptamers Against CXCL1 to Inhibit Carcinogenesis.

Final Manuscript is available here



CXCL1, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1, is a protein that has been found to be a responsible party for tumorigenesis. This particular cytokine has been predominately associated with breast and melanoma cancers. As well, CXCL1 has been linked to cancers such as colon, pancreatic, ovarian and melanoma. As CXCL1 and other chemokines regulation is accelerated, the activation of NF-κB(also widely associated with tumors) is positively correlated. [1]


Figure 1 CXCL1 [2]


Specific Aim 1: To select an RNA aptamer to blockade CXCL1 significantly reducing tumor growth.

As CXCL1 is now known to influence metastasis, research with antibodies has begun for breast cancer. Current literature suggests that a combination of chemotherapy as well as an inhibitor to the tumor growth process could potentially be a more effective way of curing cancer. An aptamer for this task would be more preferable as it would be designed far more specific, and would be less likely trigger an immune response. [3]


Other potential uses for an aptamer selected for CXCL1 include regulations of other cancers as well. CXCL1 in epithelial cells has been associated greatly with aging and melanoma.[4]


Recombinant Human Growth-regulated protein alpha is sold through raybiotech.com for $98.00 per 100µl . The catalog number is RB-01-0002P-1.


[1] Dhawan, P., Richmond, A. Role of CXCL1 in tumorigenesis of melanoma. Journal of Leukocyte Biology. 2002;72:9-18.


[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CXCL1


[3] Fulmer, T. SciBX 3(4); doi:10.1038/scibx.2010.105 Published online Jan. 28, 2010


[4] Fimmel,S., Devermann, A. H., Zouboulis, C. Gro-a A potential Marker for Cancer and Aging Silenced by RNA Interference. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 1119: 176–189 (2007).

7 comments:

Unknown said...

Title is concise and to the point, but doesn't need to be capitalized: "In vitro selection of RNA aptamers against CXCL1 to inhibit carcinogenesis". I would like to see more background information in the first paragraph explaining how CXCL1 plays a role in tumorigenesis and cell signalling, as this would lead into a good explanation of how ligand binding/inhibition would be beneficial. Information presented delineating association with various cancers should have a link to a source. Also when highlighting "current literature", it would be good to provide some sources there as well to support your statement. In citing sources, the format should be consistent and easy for the reader to locate original articles. Really interesting target though, aptamer could be very useful if successfully inhibitory across multiple cancer types.

Katherine Li said...

Hey Amanda! Great idea! Are you planning on doing bead based or filter based with this?

Gwen Stovall said...

Can you tell me more about CXCL1? I see that it is associated with many different cancers, but I would like some more information about what it does. What other cell signaling cascades is it involved in?

Are you thinking inhibiting this would stop the NF-kappaB signaling cascade & therefore slow the cancer progression?

Consider adding some words to better spell out how inhibiting CXCL1 will be beneficial.

Nia_Fernandez said...

More background on the protein is necessary (ie. is this protein more significant in the pathway, easier to access?)

Its good to explain what an aptamer is. The abstract should be written for a general scientific community!

Stephanie Philip said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Stephanie Philip said...

Oops, I think I accidently deleted my comment. o.O

Here is it again though:

Did you cite Wiki as an actual source or is that just where the picture is from?

It was too the point but there could definitely use more background information about the target and its functionality in the body.

I love that we have the same end goal! Lets fight cancer together. :]

Brad Hall said...

I found this target, also called GRO-Alpha through GenWay for cheaper with a HIS tag, Cat# 10-663-47033. 50ug for $165. It is a small peptide with a molecular mass of 10.1kDa, so you are getting 4950pmol.