IDENTIFICATION OF HCMV UL97 IN GBM CELL LINES AND A POSSIBLE ROLE FOR GANCICLOVIR

<p>Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common form of malignant glioma, comprising 80% of all malignant gliomas. Recently, active Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) was identified in GBM cells, and has been a topic of debate concerning its role with tumor progression. This study used three established GBM cell lines; T98, LN229, and U87 in order to identify and examine the presence of HCMV phosphotransferase protein UL97. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction identified UL97 within two of the three cell lines, T98 and LN229. Western blotting confirmed that UL97 protein was being expressed and was present in both T98, and LN229 cell lines. UL97 is a phosphotransferase that has the ability to phosphorylate guanosine analogues, creating a guanosine triphosphate that inhibits DNA elongation and replication. Ganciclovir, a guanosine analogue, was used to treat GBM cell lines and our results demonstrate that it significantly decreases cellular proliferation in UL97 expressing cells. This project identifies a new role for HCMV in GBM and suggests a possible future treatment option.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Year dc:date.available

2014

Author dc:creator

• McFall, Thomas

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. Robert Winn

• HCMV
• GBM
• UL97
• Biology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.nmu.edu/theses/15

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.nmu.edu:theses-1002