Anticancer mechanisms of
lycopene action
 Lycopene is a plant pigment that makes tomatoes and other fruits red or pink. Several studies have shown that diets high in lycopene are associated with reduced rates of several types of cancers. The most notable reduction is in prostate cancer. How lycopene may act to reduce cancers is currently unknown. We are trying to determine if any concentration of lycopene will reduce or enhance the growth of cancer and noncancer cells when grown in culture. We are also studying the possible effect of lycopene on the ability of these cells to migrate. Changes to cell growth and migration are factors that can lead to the ability of cells to become a cancer. Our major effort is to answer the question “Does lycopene affect the communication between adjacent cells though small pores called gap junctions?” Normal communication can prevent neighboring cells that have been damaged genetically from growing and developing into cancer. This occurs if the gap junctions are maintained by both cells and we hypothesize that the lycopene may help to prevent cancer by maintaining this communication. Research Developments
- I found a p16 genomic sequence from a horse so I could develop primers for my horse cells. They appear to be producing p16 and I'm testing the PCR products and will do westerns blots.
- We have had results form ELISA and QPCR that show an increase in connexin protein and RNAs in a dose response matter to the treatment of cells with lycopene.
- We have had positive results in the characterization of our horse endothelial cell line.
- Continuation of October projects except cell toxicity studies have shown no differences between TYHF and acetone as compared to controls.
- We have shown an effect of lycopene on connexin production in several cell lines with both QPCR and ELISA.
Student Researchers
- Students employed: 8
- Students receiving credit: 5
- Students using labs and equipment: 13 students in cell biology course (Biology 430L)
Student Travel or Field Trips
- Three Students from Turtle Mountain Community College toured our research lab.
- The Northwest Regional Undergraduate Affliliate Network Meeting of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Moorhead, MN, was attended by Joshua Seekins.
Student Presentations or Posters
- A student poster entiled The Effect of Lycopene on the Expression of Connexin mRNAs by QPCR was presented at the Northwest Regional Undergraduate Affliliate Network Meeting of the Ammerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Moorhead, MN.
Events of Significance
- Anna Grazul-Bilska Visited our lab on Feb.22 and trained us in a cellular migration analysis so we can use it to test lycopene on our cells and its affects on cell migration. She has loaned us the equipment and we have purchased the disposals.
- Anna Grazul-Bilska,Ph.D., North Dakota State University, visited our lab on Sept.8.
- Our CO2 incubator has been inoperable most of the month and was returned to serve on Sept. 28.
- We have a new CO2 incubator purchased by our university.
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