Growth Factors and Metalloproteinases in Breast Cancer Development and Progression.

Abstract

The matrix metalloproteinase matrilysin is expressed in human breast cancers as well as in normal-appear epithelium surrounding benign and malignant breast lesions. We explored the potential role of matrilysin in mammary tumor development using a transgenic mouse approach. Multiparous female mice expressing matrilysin in the mammary glands developed hyperplastic alveolar nodules. Transgenic mice expressing both the oncogene neu and matrilysin in the mammary glands demonstrated a marked acceleration in the time of mammary tumor onset. The tumor promoting effect of matrilysin was not due to a direct effect on an erbB-related signal transduction pathway. Using a somatic cell hybridization approach, we determined that there is a dominant repressor of matrilysin expression in normal mammary epithelium that is apparently lost with malignant transformation. Although we have been unable to molecularly identify this repressor, this approach has the potential of identifying novel tumor suppressors involved in breast cancer.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1998
Accession Number
ADA363462

Entities

People

  • Lynn M. Matrisian

Organizations

  • Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Cell Physiological Processes
  • Cells
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Health Services
  • Medical Personnel

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Molecular Biology and Genetics