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Thesis
Exploring the effects of lncRNA FAM99B in hepatocellular carcinoma
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
May 2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00010943
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, largely due to late detection and limited therapeutic strategies. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as key regulators of tumor biology, yet their roles in metabolic reprogramming and translational control in HCC remain incompletely understood. In this study, we characterize the tumor-suppressive function of the lncRNA FAM99B, which is markedly downregulated in HCC tissues and cell lines. Functional assays demonstrate that FAM99B restoration suppresses cell proliferation and alters mitochondrial metabolism, as shown by Seahorse extracellular flux analysis. RNA sequencing reveals that FAM99B overexpression leads to coordinated downregulation of gene networks involved in translation and mitochondrial function. Correlative analyses in The Cancer Genome Atlas Program (TCGA) datasets further support a strong positive association between FAM99B expression and genes encoding mitochondrial ribosomal proteins, respiratory chain subunits, MICOS complex components, and translocases. Notably, a recent study identified an interaction between FAM99B and the RNA helicase DDX21, a regulator of ribosome biogenesis and mitochondrial gene expression; our transcriptomic findings are consistent with this mechanism and suggest that FAM99B may act, at least in part, through modulation of these pathways. Together, these findings support FAM99B as a regulator of mitochondrial and translational programs in HCC and highlight its potential as a diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target.
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Details
- Title
- Exploring the effects of lncRNA FAM99B in hepatocellular carcinoma
- Creators
- Tevo'n Andrew Paterson Campbell
- Contributors
- Srinivas Somarowthu (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- 55 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; College of Medicine; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991022052934004721