Project Number: 1235-51530-052-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Apr 12, 2005
End Date: Mar 15, 2009

Objective:
1) to identify molecular targets for phytochemicals and 2) to elucidate the molecular mechanism(s) by which cancer preventive phytochemicals regulate cellular targets in human cancer cell lines.

Approach:
The mechanisms by which these phytochemicals exert their cancer protective effect(s) remain unclear, despite intense scrutiny. We hypothesize that phytochemicals exert their cancer preventive effects through modulation of multiple molecular targets that are important in mammary carcinogenesis. Modulation of the molecular targets will allow phytochemicals to act on multiple cellular pathways to achieve their cancer preventive effects. We reason that identification of molecular targets for phytochemicals is an important first step. The current research proposal seeks to address these questions. Cell culture models will be used to identify molecular targets and elucidate mechanisms of action of phytochemicals. We will take a dual approach. One approach will examine changes in components of a specific pathway (such as steroid hormone receptors, xenobiotic metabolism, etc.). A second approach will use microarray as a gene profile tool to examine effects on multiple targets and pathways.