NASA Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports

Our hypothesis has been that four elements are required to exploit the opportunities provided by recent advances: (1) the
development of consortia of community physicians committed to the study of novel approaches to the treatment and
prevention of breast cancer; (2) the provision of an infrastructure composed of clinical trials personnel; (3) the involvement
of an academic center committed to community-based research and possessed of expertise in basic research, statistics, data
management, and regulatory support; and (4) partnerships with pharmaceutical companies involved in the discovery and
manufacture of novel agents. Since the initiation of this infrastructure award, we have continued to expand on our previous
success in the UCLA-Community Oncology Research Network (UCLA-CORN) through: 1) the recruitment of additional
research sites, increasing access for women from underserved populations, 2) the initiation of translational research protocols
relevant to the breast cancer problem and 3) an overall increase in accrual to breast cancer research protocols in the
UCLA-CORN.
DTIC
Cancer; Clinical Medicine; Mammary Glands
20040073792 California Univ., Irvine, CA
Functional Analysis of LIM Domain Proteins and Co- Factors in Breast Cancer
Wang, Ning; Andersen, Bogi; Oct. 2003; 38 pp.; In English; Original contains color illustrations
Contract(s)/Grant(s): DAMD17-01-1-0183
Report No.(s): AD-A422779; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A03, Hardcopy
We identified a novel transcription factor, LMO-4, which exhibits prominent expression in epithelial cells, including that
of the breast. Since previous members of the LIM only (LMO) gene family are oncogenes in lymphocytes, we hypothesized
that LMO-4 may play a role in mammary gland development and cancer. We have created transgenic mice in which we
overexpress a dominant negative LMO-4 under the MMTV promoter (MMTV-engrailed-LMO4) to test the role of LMO-4 in
mammary gland development. Our results show significant inhibition of ductal development in virgin mice and alveolar
development of pregnant mice, indicating that LMOA plays roles in proliferation and/or invasion of breast epithelial cells.
Because these cellular features are associated with breast carcinogenesis and because LMO-4 is overexpressed in a subset of
breast cancers, our studies implicate LMO4 as a possible oncogene in breast cancer. We have also created stable breast cancer
cell lines in which we can induce expression of LMO4 and Clim2, and identified several cancer-related genes that are regulated
by LMO4. In addition, we have shown that LMO4 interacts with the transcription factor GATA3 in breast cancer cells. We
propose that LMO4 is involved in regulation of breast cancer cells by interacting with GATA3.
DTIC
Cancer; Functional Analysis; Mammary Glands; Proteins; Transcription (Genetics)
20040073815 Wisconsin Univ., Madison, WI
Ultra-Sensitive Microwave Detection of Protein Conformational Changes
Taylor, Kimberly M.; Weide, Daniel W. van der; Apr. 2, 2004; 10 pp.; In English
Contract(s)/Grant(s): DAAD19-02-1-0081
Report No.(s): AD-A422852; ARO-43067.1-EL; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A02, Hardcopy
We are using pulsed and continuous-wave dielectric spectroscopy for sensing DNA and proteins with high frequency
techniques. This is rarely used for proteins and other macromolecules due to their low permittivity. Water, however, is a strong
dielectric and the shells of bound water surrounding a macromolecule in solution may be used as a reporter for changes in
its conformation or activity. Such measurements have been pursued with resonant cavities or planar waveguides, but optical
correlation has been lacking. An alternative is to employ a planar resonant slot antenna, using a network analyzer to measure
the solution’s properties in reflection. The slot antenna’s window permits passage of a light beam, enabling simultaneous
dielectric and optical spectroscopic measurements. Here we report two systems, both resonant in the 4-20 GHz regime. In the
first, unfolding/folding thermodynamics of a protein in solution were measured using a slot antenna affixed to a UV/VIS
cuvette. In the second system, a slot antenna was incorporated into the cell holder of a fluorescence polarization instrument
and used to measure binding of synthetic hormones to various receptors. Results from dielectric measurements are in good
agreement with results from optical spectroscopies.
DTIC
Microwaves; Proteins; Spectroscopy
20040073816 Naval Aerospace Medical Research Lab., New Orleans, LA
Bioman-An Improved Occupant-Crew Station Compliance Modeling System
Frisch, Georg D.; D’Aulerio, Louis A.; Feb. 1980; 8 pp.; In English
Report No.(s): AD-A422853; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A02, Hardcopy
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