The p53-Deficient Mouse as a Breast Cancer Model
Abstract
Mutations in the p53 tumor suppressor gene occur in roughly 30-40% of all human breast cancers examined to date, indicating that loss of normal function in this gene plays an important role in human breast carcinogenesis. We have chosen to develop and characterize a bitransgenic model, the Wnt-1/p53 mouse, to understand the role of p53 loss in mammary tumor progression. The female Wnt-1/p53 bitransgenic mice are genetically programmed to develop mammary adenocarcinomas by nine months of age. The mice vary only in the status of their inherited p53 genes (two, one, or no intact p53 germline alleles). Thus, these mice represent a powerful model which allows us to study the biological and genetic effects of the presence or absence of p53 on mammary tumor progression in a relatively controlled fashion within a reasonable length of time. Elucidation of the bioloical processes affected by p53 loss in tumorigenesis may provide important new insights useful in the development of new therapeutic and preventative protocols. Identification of novel genes involved in p53-mediated mammary tumorigenesis may help us to understand the molecular pathways which are important in the loss of mammary epithelial cell growth control.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA302409
Entities
People
- Lawrence A. Donehower
Organizations
- Baylor College of Medicine