Grantee Research Project Results

Molecular Biomarker of Carcinogen Exposure: 'Patched' Gene Mosaicism as a Basis for Differences in Skin Cancer Susceptibility

EPA Grant Number: R825361
Title: Molecular Biomarker of Carcinogen Exposure: 'Patched' Gene Mosaicism as a Basis for Differences in Skin Cancer Susceptibility
Investigators: Brandt-Rauf, Paul
Institution: Columbia University in the City of New York
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: November 8, 1996 through November 7, 1999
Project Amount: $335,507
RFA: Exploratory Research - Human Health (1996) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Human Health

Description:

The purpose of this project is to develop a molecular biomarker for exposure to the carcinogen vinyl chloride based on the detection in serum of a particular mutant form of the ras oncogene-encoded p21 protein. Vinyl chloride is known to cause mutations at codon 13 in the ras oncogene resulting in the intracellular expression of the encoded Asp13 p21 protein which can be detected using a specific monoclonal antibody. Using the same antibody in western blotting of serum, this study will examine the relationship between serum expression and tissue expression in individuals with tumors known to contain the mutation, as well as serum expression in individuals without tumors but with varying levels of exposure to vinyl chloride. Based on preliminary results, it is expected that serum expression will correlate with tissue expression and that there will be a dose-response relationship between vinyl chloride exposure and expression of this biomarker. Thus, this biomarker could have potential applications in monitoring of exposed individuals for the occurrence of a biological effect from their exposure as well as in refining the risk assessment for current permissible exposure levels.

Publications and Presentations:

Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 4 publications for this project

Journal Articles:

Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 2 journal articles for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

RFA, Scientific Discipline, Health, Air, Genetics, air toxics, Environmental Microbiology, Risk Assessments, Molecular Biology/Genetics, cancer risk, tumor supressor genes, risk factors, intracellular expression, patched gene mosaicism, risk, risk assessment, permissible exposure levels, stratospheric ozone, dose response, carcinogens, cancer, human exposure, oncogenes, cancer risk assessment, molecular biology, monoclonal antibody

Progress and Final Reports:

The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.