Nature and Prognostic Significance of Alterations in the DCC and E-Cadherin Genes in Breast Cancer.
Abstract
The studies in this application are directed toward understanding further the nature and clinical significance of somatic mutations in breast cancer. In several tumor types, loss of heterozygosity (LOH, allelic loss) has been shown to inactivate a tumor suppressor gene in the affected chromosomal region. Chromosomes 16q and 18q have been shown to be affected by LOH in 20-50% of breast cancers. Candidate tumor suppressor genes from 16q and 18q are the E-cadherin and DCC (for deleted in colorectal cancer) genes, respectively. Each encodes a transmembrane protein that may function in cell-cell adhesion, and appropriate E-cadherin flinction is known to be dependent on its interactions with a- and B-catenin. In studies to date, we have shown that alterations in E-cadherin and a- and B-catenin expression are frequent in human breast cancer-derived cell lines, and that in some cases the decreased expression may result from mutations in the genes. Furthermore, the frequent alterations in the expression of these proteins argue that loss of function in the E-cadherin-catenin pathway may be critical in breast cancer pathogenesis. Additional studies should provide new insights into breast cancer pathogenesis. Ultimately, the findings may lead to improved diagnosis and clinical management of patients with breast cancer.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 14, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA300021
Entities
People
- Eric R. Fearon
Organizations
- Yale University