Scopus İndeksli Yayınlar Koleksiyonu / Scopus Indexed Publications Collection

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/11147/7148

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  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 2
    Citation - Scopus: 2
    Modulating Cancer Stem Cell Characteristics in CD133+ Melanoma Cells through Hif1α, KLF4, and SHH Silencing
    (Amer Chemical Soc, 2025) Ozdil, Berrin; Güler, Günnur; Avci, Cigir Biray; Calik-Kocaturk, Duygu; Gorgulu, Volkan; Uysal, Aysegul; Guler, Gunnur; Aktug, Huseyin
    Malignant melanoma is a highly aggressive form of skin cancer, partly driven by a subset of cancer stem cells (CSCs) with remarkable capacities for self-renewal, differentiation, and resistance to therapy. In this study, we examined how silencing three key genes-Hif1 alpha, KLF4, and SHH-affects CSC characteristics. Using small interfering RNA (siRNA)-based approaches, we observed significant changes at both the gene and protein levels, shedding light on how these pathways influence melanoma progression. Our results demonstrated that silencing these genes reduces the stem-like features of CSCs. Notably, Hif1 alpha silencing triggered a marked decrease in hypoxia-related gene expression, while targeting SHH led to a reduction in Gli1, a downstream effector of SHH signaling, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target. We also observed changes in epigenetic markers such as HDAC9 and EP300, which play crucial roles in maintaining stemness and regulating gene expression. Interestingly, these interventions appeared to reprogram CSCs, pushing them toward a phenotype distinct from both traditional CSCs and non-stem cancer cells (NCSCs). Our findings emphasize the importance of targeting key signaling pathways in melanoma CSCs and underscore the value of mimicking the tumor microenvironment in experimental models. By revealing the dynamic plasticity of melanoma CSCs, this study offers fresh insights into potential therapeutic strategies, particularly using siRNA to modulate pathways associated with tumor progression and stem cell behavior.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 5
    Citation - Scopus: 5
    Differences and Similarities in Biophysical and Biological Characteristics Between U87 Mg Glioblastoma and Astrocyte Cells
    (Springer, 2023) Özdil, Berrin; Çalık Kocatürk, Duygu; Altunayar Ünsalan, Çisem; Açıkgöz, Eda; Oltulu, Fatih; Görgülü, Volkan; Uysal, Ayşegül; Öktem, Gülperi; Ünsalan, Ozan; Güler, Günnur; Aktuğ, Hüseyin
    Current cancer studies focus on molecular-targeting diagnostics and interactions with surroundings; however, there are still gaps in characterization based on topological differences and elemental composition. Glioblastoma (GBM cells; GBMCs) is an astrocytic aggressive brain tumor. At the molecular level, GBMCs and astrocytes may differ, and cell elemental/topological analysis is critical for identifying potential new cancer targets. Here, we used U87 MG cells for GBMCS. U87 MG cell lines, which are frequently used in glioblastoma research, are an important tool for studying the various features and underlying mechanisms of this aggressive brain tumor. For the first time, atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) accompanied by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) are used to report the topology and chemistry of cancer (U87 MG) and healthy (SVG p12) cells. In addition, F-actin staining and cytoskeleton-based gene expression analyses were performed. The degree of gene expression for genes related to the cytoskeleton was similar; however, the intensity of F-actin, anisotropy values, and invasion-related genes were different. Morphologically, GBMCs were longer and narrower while astrocytes were shorter and more disseminated based on AFM. Furthermore, the roughness values of these cells differed slightly between the two call types. In contrast to the rougher astrocyte surfaces in the lamellipodial area, SEM-EDS analysis showed that elongated GBMCs displayed filopodial protrusions. Our investigation provides considerable further insight into rapid cancer cell characterization in terms of a combinatorial spectroscopic and microscopic approach.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 1
    Citation - Scopus: 1
    Hdac9/P300 Immunoexpression and Migration Analysis for Malignant Melanoma Stem Cell
    (Elsevier, 2023) Özdil, Berrin; Asker Abdikan, Cemile Sinem; Özdemir, Merve; Erişik, Derya; Yesin, Taha Kadir; Avcı, Çığır Biray; Kurkutçu, Yeşim; Güler, Günnur; Aktuğ, Hüseyin
    Melanoma is an aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis that worsens in the metastatic phase. Distruptions of epigenetic mechanisms is known to effect cancer stem cells (CSCs) activity. Malignant melanoma (MM) progression may be promoted by changes in the genetic structure of CSC. Thus, treatments that target epigenetic modifications could be a promising weapon, especially in melanoma. Here, we compared p300, HDAC9, and Factin proteins in melanoma CSCs (CD133+), non-CSCs (CD133-) and CHL-1 cell line, as well as cell migration and division rates. At 4 and 6 h, P300 protein levels in CHL-1 and CD133 + were remarkably similar, and the CD133- showed increases in expression levels as the incubation period lengthened. HDAC9 protein intensity decreased in CHL-1, increased in the CD133-, and remained relatively unchanged in the CD133+ as the incubation period lengthened. The mean value of F-actin expression level increased in all cell group with time, when the highest increase observed in CHL-1. In conclusion, our studies contribute to the management of metastatic diseases in the future and offer new insight into the molecular basis of the initiation and progression of MM.