Cloning of Tumor Suppressor Genes in Breast Cancer
Abstract
Breast cancer arises through the accumulation of genetic alterations that affect two classes of genes, oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. These genes must be identified for several reasons. Characterization of the genes that drive carcinogenesis will facilitate a better understanding of cancer development. As part of this big picture, we have studied tumor suppressor genes involved in breast cancer. A tumor suppressor candidate, DBC2 was analyzed. DBC2 is a structurally new gene and its function remains to be studied. DBC2 is composed of a BAS domain, protein-protein interacting domains, and DNA binding domain. DBC2 expression is extinguished in more than half of breast tumors we tested. Methylation analysis of tumor cells revealed hypermethylation of the CpG islands in the DBC2 promoter region. Additionally, we have discovered somatic mutations of DBC2 in breast cancer. These mutations are accompanied by LOB. When DBC2 expression was induced in tumor cells, the cell growth was hindered. In contrast naturally occurring mutants did not suppress growth of the tumor cells. Our findings suggest that DBC2 is the target of mutations at 8p22.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA415804
Entities
People
- Masaaki Hamaguchi
Organizations
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory