Smoky Coal Air Pollution's Influence on the Down-Regulation of miR-144 in Lung Cancer Cell

Abstract

MiR-144 is a tumor suppressor microRNA relevant to the suppressing of mutation cells so should have a positive effect on limiting or slowing the growth of cancerous lung cells. Since smoky coal air pollution is a carcinogen for non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) in humans, this experiment explores how this environmental toxin affects the down-regulation of miR-144 in untreated lung cancer. Cell lines will be cultured in a controlled environment and cells will also be acquired from lung cancer patient's lung tissue. Expression of miR-144 will be measured by RTPCR and cell growth measured by MTT assay and metastasis measured by wound healing assay. The result of this investigation will provide additional information for future clinical and scientific trials regarding smoky coal induced lung cancer and specific microRNAs such as miR-144. The paper will explore the influence an environmental carcinogen might have on a tumor suppressor gene.