Copper ionophores induce autophagy in melanoma cells.

Malignant melanoma is a particularly aggressive form of skin cancer, for which the only current treatment option is excision. As melanoma is an inherently antiapoptotic model of cancer, other avenues of cell death were pursued, namely autophagy, a mechanism in which a cell devours itself in times of stress. In this study, two copper ionophores, disulfiram and thiomaltol, were investigated against melanoma. By using immunocytochemistry, Western Blotting and supravital staining, it was confirmed that both ionophores induce autophagy, and furthermore, drive the process to completion. In addition, when tested for viability with the autophagy inhibitor hydroxychloroquine, both ionophores showed evidence of synergism. To further study the migration of copper, STEM-EDX was used on thiomaltol treated melanoma cells.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Grantor

Baylor University.

Year dc:date.issued

2013

Author dc:creator

• Dao, Long, 1988-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Farmer, Patrick Joseph, 1957-

• Copper ionophores.
• Autophagy.
• Melanoma.
• Disulfiram.
• Thiomaltol.

Statement dc:rights

• Baylor University works are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact libraryquestions@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2104/8738

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:baylor-ir.tdl.org:2104/8738