A Search for Mutations that Affect Susceptibility to Breast Cancer
Abstract
The purpose of this project is to search for mutations that affect breast cancer by screening the progeny of mice that were injected with ethylnitrosourea (ENU). We began the project by treating BALB/c males with ENU, and then mating them with MN-10 partners. MN-10 is a strain which carries the c-neu oncogene under the control of an MMTV promoter, on the BALB/c background. Although some of these matings were successful, we found this strain to be unusually sensitive to ENU. We therefore adopted an alternative strategy, and utilized a strain which carries a similar mutation, but which has the FVB/NJ background. Our experience with this strain, known as FVB-TgN(MMTVneu)202Mul, was vastly more successful. Most of the treated males recovered their fertility rather quickly after ENU treatment, and produced large numbers of progeny. The female progeny of these mice are now being observed for the occurrence of breast cancer. Although we have not yet seen any evidence of a mutation that affects breast cancer, we believe that we have a mutation that affects the spleen and lower G.I. tract. The overall significance of this is that if we can identify mutations in mice that affect susceptibility to breast cancer, we can identify the corresponding human gene.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA407226
Entities
People
- David L. Gasser
Organizations
- University of Pennsylvania