Department of Molecular Oncogenetics

The Department of Molecular Oncogenetic founded on the basis of the Department of Biochemical Genetics, which was headed by Doctor of Science, Professor Oleksandr Solomko from 1983 to 2009.

Head

Volodymyr I. Kashuba

Professor, Dr. Sci. (Mol. Biol.),
Corresponding Member of NASU and

Phone: (380-44) 200-03-72
Fax: (380-44) 526-07-59;
E-mail: v.i.kashuba@imbg.org.ua

Education and Degrees:

1977–1983 Graduate Student, Faculty of Chemistry, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine, M.Sc. (biochemistry)

1991 Ph.D. (molecular biology)

2009 Dr.Sci. (molecular biology)

2017 Professor (molecular biology)

2021 Corresponding Member of NASU

Professional Employment:

1983–1989 Engineer, Department of Biosynthesis of Nucleic Acids, Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics (IMBG), NASU, Kyiv, Ukraine

1989–1991 Junior Research Scientist, IMBG NASU, Kyiv, Ukraine

1991–2009 Research Scientist, IMBG NASU, Kyiv, Ukraine

2009–2011 Senior Research Scientist, IMBG NASU, Kyiv, Ukraine

since 2011 Head of the Department of Molecular Oncogenetics, IMBG NASU, Kyiv, Ukraine

Honours, Prizes, Awards::

2017 Gershenson Award of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine

Membership:

since 1995 Member of European Association for Cancer Research (EACR)

since 2010 Member of Ukrainian Society of Geneticists and Breeders

Research Area:

Identification of genetic and epigenetic changes in malignant epithelial tumors

Сurrent Research Activities and Recent Achievements:

Identification of molecular-genetic markers for early detection and prognosis of epithelial tumors.

We analyze different types of epithelial tumors (breast, kidney, cervical, colon, ovarian and lung) with Not-I microarray technology. We have found locі/genes with changes in high percents of samples. Further cluster analysis permits to select genes candidates for discrimination different cancer stages. Not-I microarray technology allows the development of marker panels for the detection of differences between types of cancer and discrimination of stages, for early detection, presence or absence of metastases and the tumor aggressiveness.

On the basis of the case study the panel of 19 markers was created for detection of lung carcinoma, differentiation between adenocarcinoma and squamous lung carcinoma with or without methastases. For ovary carcinoma the panels of 11 markers were created for early detection, discrimination of benign tumors and cancer, and discrimination of I + II stages and III + IV stages. We considered a new approach to search for epithelial cancer epigenetic markers. The results are perspective for use in practical medicine.

Fig. 1. Hybridization pattern of DNA from NSCLC samples (SCC and ADC) on NotI-microarrays. Horizontally – 40 NSCLC samples. Vertically – 44 NotI sites arranged by methylation/deletion frequency (from 58 % to 15 %).
The baculovirus expression system for obtaining recombinant proteins.

We investigate the potential of the baculovirus Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) as a safe alternative vehicle in different strategies of cancer therapy. On mouse models we examine baculoviruses ability for targeting cancer cells or transducing hypothetical “vector cells” that in turn target tumors. For this we assessed the efficiency of different constructed recombinant baculovirus vectors (with the GFP reporter gene and a number of therapeutic cytokine genes under the control of strong mammalian promoters) in transduction of different mouse normal and tumor cell lines. It was shown that coculture of melanoma cells with fetal fibroblasts, transduced with the recombinant baculovirus vector expressing mouse therapeutic β-interferon, leads to inhibition of malignant cell growth (Fig.2) and coinjection of melanoma cells and transduced fibroblasts causes tumor growth inhibition and increase in life-span of experimental animal.

Fig. 2. The growth inhibition of tumor mouse melanoma cells (MM4) during coinjection with murine fetal fibroblasts (C57Fb), transduced with the recombinant baculovirus vector expressing mouse β-interferon (Ifnβ).

We also use baculovirus expression system for production and study of a number of protein tumor-suppressors.

National Grants:

Projects of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine:

  • 2010–2014 N 22/12 Project: “Functional bionanomaterials for medical diagnostics of oncological diseases” (scientific supervisor – Kashuba V. І.)
  • 2010–2014 N 41/12 Project: “Identification of moleculargenetic markers for diagnostics of the epithelial malignant tumors” (scientific supervisor – KashubaV. І.)
  • 2010–2014 N 33/12 Project: “Recombinant baculovirus vectors efficacy research and construction for gene and vaccine therapy” (scientific supervisor – Strokovskaya L. I.)

Projects of State Fund for Fundamental Researches:

  • 2011–2012 N F/40 Project: “Molecular mechanisms of D-glucorunil C5-epimerase inactivation in cancerogenesis” (scientific supervisor – Kashuba V. І.)
  • 2006 N 18/012 Project: “Identification and characterization of genes, which are specific for renal and ovarian cancer” (scientific supervisor – Kashuba V. І.)

Projects of State Agency on Science, Innovations and Informatization of Ukraine:

  • 2012 N SP/487 Project: “Creation and introduction to exploitation of the laboratory module for a microarrays design and application” (scientific supervisor – Kashuba V. І.)

International Grants:

  • 2004–2006 ІNTAS (The International Association for the Promotion of Co-operation with Scientists from the New Independent States of the Former Soviet Union) N 03-51- 4983 Project: “Not I microarrays for identification of new cancer-causing genes”

Collaboration:

with Ukrainian organizations:

  • R. E. Kavetsky Institute of Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology, NASU (Kyiv)
  • V. E. Lashkaryov Institute of Semiconductor Physics, NASU (Kyiv)

Selected publications:

  1. Maksymchuk, O., Gerashchenko, G., Rosohatska, I., ...Stakhovsky, E., Kashuba, V.Cytochrome P450 genes expression in human prostate cancer. Molecular Genetics and Metabolism Reports, 2024, 38, 101049
  2. Gerashchenko, G.V., Hryshchenko, N.V., Melnichuk, N.S., ...Kashuba, V.I., Tukalo, M.A. Genetic characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 virus variants observed upon three waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine between February 2021–January 2022 Heliyon, 2024, 10(4), e25618
  3. Fishchuk, L., Lobanova, O., Rossokha, Z., ...Podolska, S., Gorovenko, N. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF BRCA1 GENE SEQUENCING AND ITS PROMOTER METHYLATION TESTING IN THE SEARCH STRATEGY FOR THERAPEUTIC TARGETS IN BREAST CANCER TREATMENT | КЛІНІЧНЕ ЗНАЧЕННЯ СЕКВЕНУВАННЯ ГЕНА BRCA1 ТА ТЕСТУВАННЯ МЕТИЛЮВАННЯ ЙОГО ПРОМОТОРА В СТРАТЕГІЇ ПОШУКУ ТЕРАПЕВТИЧНИХ ЦІЛЕЙ У ЛІКУВАННІ РАКУ МОЛОЧНОЇ ЗАЛОЗИ. Experimental Oncology, 2023, 45(2), pp. 161–169
  4. Gerashchenko, G.V., Zaharuk, O.A., Kashuba, V.I. The evidence of potential tumor suppressor properties of TAGLN in vitro. Biopolymers and Cell, 2023, 39(1), pp. 14–23
  5. Maksymchuk, O., Shysh, A., Kotliarova, A. Quercetin inhibits the expression of MYC and CYP2E1 and reduces oxidative stress in the myocardium of spontaneously hypertensive rats. Acta Biochimica Polonica, 2023, 70(1), pp. 199–204
  6. Gerashchenko, G.V., Kononenko, O.A., Bondarenko, Y.M., ... Tukalo, M.A., Kashuba, V.I. Expresion paterns of various PDCD1 and PDL1 isoforms in prostate tumors. Biopolymers and Cell, 2022, 38(3), pp. 169–185
  7. Maksymchuk, O., Shysh, A., Stroy, D.Treatment with omega-3 PUFAs does not increase the risk of CYP2E1-dependent oxidative stress and diabetic liver pathology. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2022, 13, 1004564
  8. Hryshchenko, N.V., Gordiyuk, V.V., Kravchenko, S.A., Arbuzova, S.B., Kashuba, V.I. Somatic genomic rearrangements in human leucocyte antigens region in solid ovarian tumors. Biopolymers and Cell, 2021, 37(2), pp. 105–116
  9. Kashuba, V.I., Hryshchenko, N.V., Gerashchenko, G.V., ...Tkachuk, Z.Yu., Tukalo, M.A. Identification and characterization of the sars-cov-2 lineage b.1.1.7 upon the new outbreak of the covid-19 in Ukraine in february 2021. Biopolymers and Cell, 2021, 37(2), pp. 117–124
  10. Mankovska, O.S., Korsakova, A.S., Cherniavskyi, K.R., ...Kashuba, V.I., Gerashchenko, G.V. Methylation pattern of tumor-suppressor gene promoters as putative noninvasive diagnostic markers for prostate cancer. Biopolymers and Cell, 2021, 37(1), pp. 23–32
  11. Maksymchuk, O.V., Kashuba, V.I. Altered expression of cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in metabolism of androgens and vitamin D in the prostate as a risk factor for prostate cancer. Pharmacological Reports, 2020, 72(5), pp. 1161–1172
  12. Mushtaq, M., Kovalevska, L., Darekar, S., ...Arsenian-Henriksson, M., Kashuba, E. Cell stemness is maintained upon concurrent expression of rb and the mitochondrial ribosomal protein s18-2. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2020, 117(27), pp. 15673–15683
  13. Dmitriev, A.A., Beniaminov, A.D., Melnikova, N.V., ...Kudryavtseva, A.V., Kashuba, V.I. Functional Hypermethylation of ALDH1L1, PLCL2, and PPP2R3A in Colon Cancer. Molecular Biology, 2020, 54(2), pp. 178–184
  14. Gerashchenko, G.V., Vagina, I.M., Vagin, Y.V., Kashuba, V.I. Pattern of expression of immune-and stroma-associated genes in blood of mice with experimental B16 melanoma. Ukrainian Biochemical Journal, 2020, 92(1), pp. 5–11
  15. Mankovska, O., Gerashchenko, G., Rozenberg, E., (...), Bondarenko, Y., Kashuba, V. Analysis of aurora kinases genes expression points on their distinct roles in prostate cancer development. Ukrainian Biochemical Journal 91(6), pp. 15-26, 2019
  16. Maksymchuk, O., Kashuba, V. Dietary lipids and environmental xenobiotics as risk factors for prostate cancer: The role of cytochrome P450. Pharmacological Reports 71(5), pp. 826-832, 2019
  17. Hryshchenko, N.V., Kirichenkova, O.P., Gordiyk, V.V., Kravchenko, S.A., Kashuba, V.I. Set of STR-markers for 6p21.31 chromosomal region linkage analysis and CNV study. Biopolymers and Cell 35(5), pp. 333-339, 2019
  18. Gerashchenko, G.V., Vagina, I.M., Vagin, Y.V., Tkachuk, Z.Y., Kashuba, V.I. Expression pattern of immune-and cancer-associated genes in peripheral blood of mice bearing melanoma cells. Biopolymers and Cell 35(4), pp. 313-320, 2019
  19. Gerashchenko, G.V., Grygoruk, O.V., Rosenberg, E.E., (...), Kashuba, E.V., Kashuba, V.I. Expression of cancer-associated genes in prostate tumors at mRNA and protein levels. Biopolymers and Cell 35(1), pp. 39-53, 2019
  20. Nekrasov, K.A., Vikarchuk, M.V., Rudenko, E.E., (...), Sharopov, B.R., Kashuba, V.I. 6-gene promoter methylation assay is potentially applicable for prostate cancer clinical staging based on urine collection following prostatic massage. Oncology Letters 18(6), pp. 6917-6925, 2019
  21. Pavlenko, E., Niijima, K., Mason, P., (...), Troianskyi, V., Kashuba, V. ASASSN-18fk: A new WZ Sge-type dwarf nova with multiple rebrightenings and a new candidate for a superhumping intermediate polar. Contributions of the Astronomical Observatory Skalnate Pleso 49(2), pp. 204-216, 2019
  22. M.Mushtaq, L. Jensen, S.Davidsson, OV. Grygoruk, O. Andrén, V. Kashuba, E. Kashuba. The MRPS18-2 protein levels correlate with prostate tumor progression and it induces CXCR4-dependent migration of cancer cells. Sci Rep. 2018 Feb 2;8(1):2268. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-20765-8. p.1-14
  23. Kononenko O, Mityakina I, Galatenko V, Watanabe H, Bazov I, Gerashchenko A, Sarkisyan D, Iatsyshyna A, Yakovleva T, Tonevitsky A, Marklund N, Ossipov MH, Bakalkin G. Differential effects of left and right neuropathy on opioid gene expression in lumbar spinal cord. Brain Res. 2018 Sep 15;1695:78-83
  24. G.V. Gerashchenko, L.V. Mevs, L.I.lChashchina, M. V. Pikul, O.P. Gryzodub, E.A. Stakhovsky, V.I. Kashuba. Expression of steroid and peptide hormone receptors, metabolic enzymes and EMT- related genes in prostate tumors in relation to the presence of the TMPRSS2/ERG fusion. Exp Oncol 2018. 40, 2, P. 101 - 108
  25. A. Suhovskih, V. Kashuba,G. Klein,E. Grigorieva. Prostate cancer cells specifically reorganize epithelial cells- fibroblast communication through proteoglycan and junction pathways. Cell Adhesion & Migration 2017, Jan 2; 11(1) p. 39-53
  26. T. Alkasalias, A. Alexeyenko, K.Hennig, V. Kashuba. RhoA knockout fibroblasts lose tumor-inhibitory capacity in vitro and promote tumor growth in vivo. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2017 Feb 7. pii: 201621161. doi: 10.1073/pnas.16211611141-9
  27. E. Kashuba, A. Dmitriev, S. Kamal, O. Melefors, G.Griva, I. Ernberg, V. Kashuba. Ancient permafrost staphylococci carry antibiotic resistance genes. Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease 2017. Vol. 28. Issue 1. p.1-9
  28. O.Maksymchuk., A.Shysh, I.Rosohatska, M.Chashchyn. Quercetin prevents type 1 diabetes liver damage through inhibition of CYP2E1. Pharmacological Reports, 2017, 69(6):1386-1392
  29. I.N. Vagyna, O.A.Zaharuk , L.I.Strokovska, Y.V.Vagyn, V.I. Kashuba. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts expressing IFNβ or IL21 inhibit proliferation of melanoma cells in vitro. Biopolymers and Cell. – 2016. – V. 32, № 6. – С.433 – 441
  30. V.Kashuba, M. Mushtaq, H.R. Ali, G. Klein. S18 family of mitochondrial ribosomal proteins: evolutionary history and Gly132 polymorphism in colon carcinoma. Oncotarget, 2016. Vol.7, No.34. P.55649-55662
  31. A. Suhovskih, V. Kashuba, G. Klein, E. Grigorieva. Prostate cancer cells specifically reorganize epithelial cells- fibroblast communication through proteoglycan and junction pathways. Cell Adhesion & Migration. 2016:1-15.
  32. I.M. Kikhno, V.E. Makarenko, V.I. Kashuba. Functional complementation of conserved non protein-coding element ( CNE) originated from Malacosoma neustria nucleopolyhedrovirus. Biopolymers and Cell. 2016, 32(3):131-139.
  33. L.G. Buchynska, N.P. Iurchenko, N.P. Verko, K.A. Nekrasov, V.I. Kashuba. FOXP3 gene promoter methylation in endometrial cancer cells. Experimental Oncology. 2015, 37(4):246-249.
  34. L.G. Buchynska, O. V. Brieieva, K.A. Nekrasov, S.V. Nespryadko. The Study of Mismatch Repair in Endometrial Cancer Patients with A Family History of Cancer. Experimental Oncology. 2015, 37(4):272-276.
  35. Rudenko E, Lapska Y, Gerashchenko G, Stakhovsky E, Vikarchuk M, Kashuba V. Heterozygous deletions are main cause of expression alterations of PPM1M and PRICLE2 genes in human clear cell renal cell carcinomas. Biopolymers and Cell. 2015;31(1):29-33.
  36. Rudenko E, Kondratov O, Gerashchenko G... Kashuba V. Aberrant expression of selenium-containing glutathione peroxidases in clear cell renal cell carcinomas. Exp Oncol. 2015;37(2):105-110.
  37. Loginov V, Dmitriev A, Senchenko V... Kashuba V. Tumor Suppressor Function of the SEMA3B Gene in Human Lung and Renal Cancers. PLoS One. 2015;10(5):1-21.
  38. Alexeyenko A, Alkasalias T, Pavlova T...Kashuba V, at all. Confrontation of fibroblasts with cancer cells in vitro: gene network analysis of transcriptome changes and differential capacity to inhibit tumor growth. J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 2015;34(1).62:2-17.
  39. Lykhova A, Kudryavets Y, Strokovska L...at all. Supression of proliferation, tumorigenicity and metastasis of lung cancer cells after their transduction by interferon-beta gene in baculovirus vector. Cytokine. 2015;71:318-326.
  40. Rosenberg E, Prudnikova T, Zabarovsky E., et al. D-glucuronyl C5-epimerase cell type specifically affects angiogenesis pathway in different prostate cancer cells. Tumor Biology. 2014; 35(4):3237-3245.
  41. Kondratov AG, Nekrasov KA, Lototska LV, et al. Comparative analysis of epigenetic markers in plasma and tissue of patients with colorectal cancer. Biopolymers and Cell. 2014;30(1):129-134.
  42. Dmitriev A, Rudenko E, Kudryavtseva A, et al. Epigenetic Alterations of Chromosome 3 Revealed by NotI-Microarrays in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma. BioMed Research International Volume 2014 (2014), Article ID 735292, 9 pages. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/735292
  43. Kikhno I. Identification of Conserved Non-Protein-Coding Genomic Element that Plays an Essential Role in Alphabaculovirus Pathogenesis. PLOS ONE. 2014;9(4):1-15.
  44. Rosenberg E, Prudnikova T, Gerashchenko A, et al. Search for genes – potential markers of aggressiveness and metastasis for human prostate cancer. Biopolymers and Cell. 2013;29(6):499-505.
  45. Gordiyuk V. V., Kondratov A. G., Gerashchenko G. V., Kashuba V. I. Novel epigenetic markers of early epithelial tumor growth and prognosis Biopolym. Cell. 2013; 29(3):215-220 doi:10.7124/bc.00081B
  46. Rudenko EE, Gerashchenko GV, Lapska YY, et al. Genetic and epigenetic changes of GPX1and GPX3 in human clear- cell renal carcinoma. Biopolym. Cell. 2013; 29(5):395–401 doi:10.7124/bc.00082F
  47. Law EW, Cheung AK, Kashuba VI, et al. Anti-angiogenic and tumor-suppressive roles of candidate tumor-suppressor gene, Fibulin-2, in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Oncogene. 2012; 31(6): 728–38 doi:10.1038/onc.2011.272
  48. Kashuba V, Dmitriev AA, Krasnov GS, et al. NotI Microarrays: Novel Epigenetic Markers for Early Detection and Prognosis of High Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer. Int J Mol Sci. 2012; 13(10): 13352–77 doi:10.3390/ijms131013352
  49. Kondratov AG, Kvasha SM, Stoliar LA, et al. Alterations of the WNT7A gene in clear cell renal cell carcinomas. PLoS One. 2012; 7(10):e47012 doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0047012
  50. Kondratov AG, Stoliar LA, Kvasha SM, et al. Methylation pattern of the putative tumor-suppressor gene LRRC3B promoter in clear cell renal cell carcinomas. Mol Med Report. 2012;5(2):509–12 doi:10.3892/mmr.2011.681
  51. Haraldson K, Kashuba VI, Dmitriev AA, et al. LRRC3B gene is frequently epigenetically inactivated in several epithelial malignancies and inhibits cell growth and replication. Biochimie. 2012; 94(5):1151–7 doi:10.1016/j.biochi.2012.01.019
  52. Prudnikova TY, Mostovich LA, Kashuba VI, Ernberg I, Zabarovsky ER, Grigorieva EV. miRNA-218 contributes to the regulation of D-glucuronyl C5-epimerase expression in normal and tumor breast tissues. Epigenetics. 2012; 7(10):1109–14 doi:10.4161/epi.22103
  53. Dmitriev AA, Kashuba VI, Haraldson K, et al. Genetic and epigenetic analysis of non-small cell lung cancer with NotImicroarrays. Epigenetics. 2012; 7(5):502–13 doi:10.4161/epi.19801
  54. Solomko AP, Zaharuk OA, Chaschina LI, Strokovskaya LI. Baculovirus vectors in experimental gene- and vaccine therapy. Biopolym. Cell. 2011; 27(3):167–80 doi:10.7124/bc.0000B7
  55. Kashuba VI, Li J, Wang F, Senchenko VN, et al. RBSP3 (HYA22) is a tumor suppressor gene implicated in major epithelial malignancies. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2004; 101(14):4906–11 doi:10.1073/pnas.0401238101