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The Role of DDX5 in HPV-Associated Cancer Danielle Hohman, 4th year |
Abstract
Dead-Box helicase 5 (DDX5) or p68 is an ATP-dependent RNA helicase that is involved in alteration of RNA structures, regulation of splicing, processing small noncoding RNAs, and can act as a coregulator of transcription. It has been found to be dysregulated in many cancers including prostate cancer, lung cancer, and ovarian cancer. DDX5 acts on many metabolic pathways and as a result promotes proliferation and metastasis.
Currently, the role of DDX5 in HPV-associated cancers are unknown. Our preliminary results show that DDX5 is upregulated in both HPV-positive and negative head and neck cancers (HNC) compared to normal tissue. However, DDX5 shows higher nuclear localization in HPV+ HNC than HPV- HNC. This suggests differing roles for DDX5 when in the presence of HPV.