Biography
Biography: Nirmala Mavila
Abstract
Prominin1 (PROM1, CD133) is a penta-transmembrane glycoprotein known to express in various kinds of progenitor cells. It was originally discovered as a hematopoietic stem cell marker. Its expression is restricted to the plasma membrane protrusions and has been identified as a cholesterol binding protein. However its function yet to be identified. Studies have demonstrated that PROM1 positive tumor initiating cells form more aggressive tumors in xenograft models compared to PROM1 negative cancer cells. Its expression found to be correlated with poor prognosis of various cancers. It is believed that PROM1 maintains the stem cell-ness of progenitor cells and losses its expression during cellular differentiation. Our recent studies have demonstrated that murine embryonic liver progenitor cells or hepatoblasts expresses PROM1 as early as embryonic stage E11 and reduces its expression as the liver develops into a mature organ. Our studies also have demonstrated that Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 mediated activation of AKT-beta-catenin signaling, plays an important role in the proliferation of PROM1 positive hepatoblasts and liver cancer stem cells in vitro. Importantly, our recent studies have demonstrated an increased expression of PROM1 in cholestatic liver diseases. However its pathological significance is yet to be discovered.
