Production and function of a soluble c-Kit molecule / by Stuart Hamilton Read.

"Research conducted at the Department of Haematology, Hanson Centre for Cancer Research, Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science."--T.p.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 170-214).xiv, 221 leaves : ill. (some col.) ; 30 cm.Elevated levels of receptor tyrosine kinases have been implicated in carcinogenesis. It is possible that high expression of c-Kit by the leukaemic cell provides them with a growth advantage over their normal counterparts in the bone marrow microenvironment. Thus, a means of inhibiting the interaction of c-Kit on these cells with ligand Steel Factor may remove proliferation and survival signals. Main aim of the study was to produce a biological inhibitor of this interaction and evaluate its ability to prevent ligand Steel Factor from binding to c-Kit on live cells.Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Molecular Biosciences, 200