NASA Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports

Beta-catanin, is an important component of the wnt signaling pathway and IkBalpha is an important regulator of the
NF-KB pathway. Both proteins are phosphorylated at serines in the N- terminal region, which subseouently target them for
ubiquitination by the same ubiquitin ligase complex. In the first year of the award, we demonstrated proof of principle that
small peptides could be constructed that would enter cells and target oncogenic proteins, such as beta-catenin and erbB2 for
intracellular degradation. During the course of this work, we discovered that he similarities in the regulation of beta-catenin
and IkBalpha ubiquitination extended to the kinases that are involved in control of their phosphorylation. The IKK complex
is responsible for the phosphorylation of IkBalpha while GSK-3beta is thought to regulate beta-catenin phosyphorylation. This
work showed for the first time that IKK also exists in a complex with beta-catenin and that expression of either IKKalpha or
IKKbeta can decrease beta-catenin signaling. Consistent with this, we found that cytokines, such as TNFalpha also markedly
regulated beta-catenin activity. Our demonstration that cytokine and beta-catenin signaling are cross-regulated at the level of
targeted protein degradation is important and points to a clinically significant relationship between inflammatory responses and
oncogenic activity.
DTIC
Cancer; Carcinogens; Degradation; Enzymes; Mammary Glands; Peptides; Phosphorus; Proteins; Tumors; Viruses
20040050783 Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA
Self-Definition as a Survivor of Childhood Sexual Abuse Among Navy Recruits
Stander, Valerie A.; Olson, Cheryl B.; Merrill, Lex L.; Jan. 2000; 11 pp.; In English
Report No.(s): AD-A421111; NHRC-00-25; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A03, Hardcopy
The purpose of the present research was to identify how specific characteristics of childhood sexual experiences might
relate to self-identification as a victim of sexual abuse. In particular, this study explored the role that self-definitions might play
in explaining differential rates of self-reported childhood sexual abuse between men and women. Hierarchical logistic
regression analyses were performed to estimate the unique contribution of demographic as well as childhood sexual experience
(CSE) characteristics in accounting for variability in the likelihood that participants defined themselves as victims of childhood
abuse. Approximately 39% of those who reported CSEs prior to age 14 with someone at least five years older than themselves
believed those CSEs were abusive. Proportionally more women than men were self-defined victims (50% versus 14%).
Recruits who were older at the time of the survey, who were White, whose parents had not married, and who had a lower
family income were more likely to define themselves as abused. Abuse characteristics most strongly associated with
self-defined sexual abuse were the use of threats or force, incest, and younger age at the time of the experience. An analysis
of within-family abuse also suggested that men were more likely to define themselves as abuse victims if the perpetrator was
also male.
DTIC
Navy; Violence
20040050784 Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA
Child Sexual Abuse and Number of Sexual Partners in Young Women: The Role of Abuse Severity Coping Style and
Sexual Functioning
Merrill, Lex L.; Gulmond, Jennifer M.; Thomsen, Cynthia J.; Milner, Joel S.; Jan. 2002; 12 pp.; In English
Contract(s)/Grant(s): Proj-PEBUPERS
Report No.(s): AD-A421112; NHRC-02-25; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A03, Hardcopy
Theory and research suggest that childhood sexual abuse (CSA) may lead to either avoidance of sex or compulsive sexual
behavior. We proposed and tested a model that specified different pathways through which these divergent outcomes may
occur. CSA victims who used avoidant strategies to cope with abuse were expected to display higher levels of sexual problems
and to have fewer sex partners as adults. In contrast, CSA victims who used self-destructive strategies to cope with abuse were
expected to display more dysfunctional sexual behavior and to report a higher number of sex partners as adults. Predictions
were tested using data from a sample of female U.S. Navy recruits who reported CSA experiences (N = 547). As expected,
the results indicated that the effects of CSA on number of sex partners were largely mediated by coping strategy and
dysfunctional sexual behavior.
DTIC
Children; Violence
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