# ANALYSIS OF EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX OF TRANSFORMING CELLS

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · 1989 · $169,011

## Abstract

The extracellular matrix (ECM) has such a significant influence on
normal growth and differentiation that it is likely to play a role
in diseases involving abnormal growth and development, such as
cancer.  The long-term objective of this research is to define
alterations in cell-extracellular matrix interactions which play
a role in the development this disease.  The ECM of cultured
chicken embryo fibroblasts, infected with temperature-sensitive
(ts) mutants of Rous Sarcoma virus, is modified during the early
stages of transformation by the transient synthesis and deposition
of a small protein (Mr approximately 21,000).  The amphiphilic
properties of this protein suggest that it could bind to, and
perhaps link together, a number of different matrix components.
The 21K protein does, in fact, bind to hyaluronic acid.
Furthermore, it appears to be related to another 21K protein
detected in the media of transforming cells.  The specific aims of
this project are to:  isolate, purify and characterize the 21K
protein using chromatographic, electrophoretic and immunological
techniques; to investigate its relationship to the media 21K
protein; and, to determine its role in the transformation process.
Monoclonal antibodies to the 21K protein will be used to aid in its
characterization and to describe its distribution in the matrix by
immunofluorescence microscopy.  A peptide corresponding to the NH2-
terminal amino acid sequence of the 21K protein will be synthesized
for use as antigen in the acid sequence of the 21K protein will be
synthesized for use as antigen in the production of polyclonal
antibodies.  These will facilitate bulk purification of the protein
by affinity chromatography.  Physical and chemical characterization
and the potential interaction of the 21K protein with other matrix
components will be established by electrophoresis, autoradiography
and binding studies.  The potential role of the 21K protein in
expression of the transformed phenotype will be investigated by its
ability to induce established transformation parameters in normal
cells and ts  virus-infected cells at the permissive temperature.
In particular the contribution of the protein to altered adhesive
properties and loss of growth control, exhibited by transforming
cells, will be investigated.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3179274
- **Project number:** 5R01CA039919-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- **SAM.gov UEI:** KMH5K9V7S518
- **Principal Investigator:** SUSAN P HAWKES
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1989
- **Award amount:** $169,011
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1984-09-30 → 1991-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3179274

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3179274, ANALYSIS OF EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX OF TRANSFORMING CELLS (5R01CA039919-05). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3179274. Licensed CC0.

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