Exercise‐related effects of p53 on cancer preventative pathways (261.8)

Abstract

The American Cancer Society estimates over 1 million new cancer cases to be diagnosed in 2013. Thus, efforts to understand the mechanisms of cancer prevention are vital. Physical activity is a modifiable lifestyle choice with the potential to reduce the risk of certain cancers. As such, research into the molecular mechanisms of how physical activity results in cancer prevention is imperative. Changes to the insulin‐like growth factor‐1(IGF‐1) pathway are important to cancer preventative mechanisms. Recently, the p53 protein was linked to IGF‐1 pathways under specific dietary conditions. Currently, there is a gap in knowledge surrounding p53 and the molecular mechanism of its involvement in IGF‐1 signaling pathways following exercise. The objective of this study was to first investigate the molecular mechanisms regulating exercise‐induced activation of p53. Female mice underwent a moderate exercise regime five days a week for ten weeks. Dorsal skin tissue was collected and prepared for down‐stream analysis. Using western blotting and immunohistochemistry techniques, we observed a significant increase in p53 nuclear protein in exercised mice which may result from changes with its interaction with MDM2. Planned experiments, including immunoprecipitations, aim to investigate the interaction between p53 and its regulatory proteins. Furthermore, future experiments will focus on p53 and its effects on the IGF‐1 signaling pathway following exercise. Completion of these experiments will provide new information regarding p53‐related pathways in the cancer preventative effects of exercise. Grant Funding Source: Supported by: NIH CA167678