Student: Amanda Hoerres, Undergraduate Student in Pharmacy, Drake University
Research Mentor: Dr. Pramod Mahajan
Role of Proteases in DNA Repair
DNA repair mechanisms are an integral part of maintaining homeostasis within all organisms. When these mechanisms are altered there can be dire consequences, such as cancer. In my project, I will be observing the relationship between poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and select matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). PARP is an enzyme that has well established actions in many DNA repair pathways. MMPs are extracellular proteases that have been found to potentiate the metastasis of multiple cancer types. However, MMPs have also been located in the intranuclear matrix. The action of MMPs in the nucleus is unknown.
My project hopes to observe the relationship between these two enzymes in order to determine possible actions of MMPs in the intranucelar matrix. The results of this study can then be used for future projects to one day create a novel cancer therapy system.