Due to copyright issues, an electronic copy of the thesis must be ordered from the faculty. For the faculty to have time to process the order, the order must be received by the faculty at the latest 2 days before the public defence. Orders received later than 2 days before the defence will not be processed. After the public defence, please address any inquiries regarding the thesis to the candidate.
Trial Lecture – time and place
See Trial Lecture.
Adjudication committee
- First opponent: Professor Otilia V. Vieira, University of Lisbon, Portugal
- Second opponent: Dr. Jennifer Hirst, Babraham Research Campus/University of Cambridge, UK
- Third member and chair of the evaluation committee: Professor II Jørgen Wesche, University of Oslo
Chair of the Defence
Professor Kristin Austlid Tasken, University of Oslo
Principal Supervisor
Senior Scientist, Dr. Camilla Raiborg, Oslo University Hospital
Summary
Protrudin can regulate cell death, cell eating and spread cancer cell invasiveness.
The purpose of this cell and molecular biology thesis was to investigate the role of the protein Protrudin, in three cellular processes: cell death, cell eating and the release of materials from the cell. A common denominator for these functions is that they can benefit cancer cells.
Through a combination of techniques such as microscopy, cell culture experiments and molecular biology, Protrudin was found to protect cells against cell death. Avoiding cell death is a hallmark of cancer. Protrudin was also discovered to be important for cell eating by phagocytosis. Phagocytosis of dead cells is essential for homeostasis, and dysregulation can lead to diseases. Cancer cells can exploit phagocytosis for tumour growth and immune evasion. Lastly, Protrudin was found to assist aggressive cancer cells in their release of proteins through a process called exocytosis. These proteins can dock on the surface of benign neighbour cells and turn them into invasive cancer cells. By generating contact between membranes inside the cell, Protrudin aids in the regulation of the three described cellular functions.
Combined, these results provide new knowledge about Protrudin’s role in three common mechanisms that cancer cells can take advantage of. Understanding the molecular mechanisms behind tumour growth and metastasis is essential for the development of future personalized medicine.
Additional information
Contact the research support staff.