Biology subjects

Pearce, L.

Publications and source records attributed to Pearce, L..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Investigating the genomic landscape of mouse models of breast cancer metastasis

Metastasis remains a major cause of cancer mortality. AbstractThis study, expanding upon previous findings in the MMTV-PyMT model, investigated four independent mouse models, representing luminal (MMTV-PyMT, MMTV-Myc), HER2-amplified (MMTV-Her2) and triple negative (C3(1)TAg) breast cancer subtypes. Consistent with previous results, limited evidence for metastasis-associated somatic point mutations was found for all models. We also found that oncogenic drivers significantly influenced the number and size of metastasis-specific copy number variations (MSCNVs), but common driver-independent MSCNVs were rare. Furthermore, analyzing a cohort with varying genetic backgrounds while maintaining a constant oncogenic driver (PyMT) revealed that genetic background profoundly impacts MSCNVs. Transcriptome analysis demonstrated that oncogenic drivers strongly shaped metastasis-specific gene expression (MSGE), with each driver exhibiting distinct expression profiles. In contrast, MSGE in the PyMT-F1 cohort was more variable across strains. Despite the diversity of MSCNV and MSGE, functional analysis revealed that both mechanisms converge on the modulation of key cellular processes, including immune responses, metabolism, and extracellular matrix interactions. These findings emphasize the complex interplay between oncogenic drivers and genetic background in shaping the genomic and transcriptional landscapes of metastatic lesions.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Keetia korupensis sp. nov. (Rubiaceae - Vanguerieae) a threatened lowland evergreen forest climber and the endemic plant species of Korup National Park, SW Region, Cameroon

A review of the strictly endemic plant species of the Korup National Park, S.W. Region, Cameroon, is presented together with consideration of the importance of Korup for global plant conservation. Eighteen strict endemic species are known, 14 of which occur in lowland evergreen forest habitat (including Keetia korupensis) and of which 3 are among the 29 grove-forming monodominant detarioid legume species for which Korup is world famous. Four of Korups endemic species are rheophytes restricted to the Mana (Ndian) River rapids and falls which is probably the most species diverse site for shrubby rheophytes on the African continent. No endemics are yet known from Korups submontane forest, possibly because this is comparatively small in extent. Keetia korupensis Cheek, a rainforest climber, is described and illustrated as strictly endemic, on current evidence, to the Korup National Park. The species differs from all other known species of the genus in its stipitate 2-seeded fruits which are twice as long as broad (vs non-stipitate and subisodiametric in most of the species) and for the 2 mm long stiff, skin-penetrating stem indumentum (vs non-injuring or soft in other long hairy species). Keetia korupensis is provisionally assessed using the IUCN standard as Vulnerable (VU D2).

plant biology↗