# ONCOGENES-ONCOGENE PRODUCTS IN RADIATION-INDUCED TUMORS

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER · 1988 · $149,528

## Abstract

The goal of this project is to evaluate the hypothesis that oncogene
expression occurs as a step in radiation carcinogenesis.  This possibility
is being evaluated using a rat thyroid carcinogenesis model capitolizing on
the exquisite sensitivity of thyroid epithelium to the carcinogenic effects
of ionizing radiation.  Dominant transforming oncogenes identified in the
genome of cells from radiation-induced adenomas and carcinomas are being
characterized and compared to those isolated from the DNA of normal thyroid
cells and cells from spontaneous thyroid tumors.  Likewise, the mRNA
transcripts and protein products associated with the oncogenes mentioned
above are being analyzed.  The structure and function of these
macromolecules will be compared with those associated with the known
retroviral oncogenes.

The cellular DNA from radiation-induced and spontaneous thyroid tumors as
well as from normal thyroid cells are being subjected to restriction
endonuclease digestion and Southern blot analysis utilizing a complete
battery of nick translated retroviral oncogene probes.

Using DNA isolated from a radiation-induced thyroid carcinoma we have been
able to identify mutations and DNA rearrangements in the rask, myc, and abl
oncogenes.  This DNA is also capable of transfecting NIH/3T3 cells in the
DNA mediated gene transfer assays.  At present molecular cloning and
sequencing techniques are being used to localize the dominant transforming
oncogene.  Once the effected oncogenes are isolated their individual and
collaborative effects will be tested in the transfection assays using
recombinant DNA molecules harboring cDNA copies of these oncogenes in
eukaryotic expression vectors.

Northern blot analysis is being utilized to determine the level of
expression of these 3 oncogenes in normal and tumor tissue.  cDNA copies of
the affected oncogenes are being cloned in bacterial plasmids and
oncogene-specific proteins are being characterized using specific antisera
against myc and rask protein products.  These proteins are being
characterized with respect to localization, molecular weight,
protein-kinase activity, GTPase and GTP-binding activity.  These parameters
will be compared with those of known retroviral transforming proteins.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3173998
- **Project number:** 5R01CA036432-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
- **SAM.gov UEI:** F27KDXZMF9Y8
- **Principal Investigator:** SAYEEDA B ZAIN
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1988
- **Award amount:** $149,528
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1984-01-01 → 1989-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3173998

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3173998, ONCOGENES-ONCOGENE PRODUCTS IN RADIATION-INDUCED TUMORS (5R01CA036432-05). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3173998. Licensed CC0.

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