Beta-catenin: A Potential Survival Marker of Breast Cancer Stem Cells
Abstract
The Wnt/ -catenin pathway has been extensively studied for its role in development and cancer. The canonical Wnt signal is transduced by -catenin, which acts as a transcriptional coactivator by associating with the Tcf/LEF family of transcription factors. It has been established that Wnt signaling regulates the self-renewal of normal stem cells in both the hematopoietic systems and the epidermis. In addition, constitutive activation of the Wnt pathway has been implicated in a number of epithelial cancers, possibly by promoting stem cell survival. However, the importance of this pathway in breast stem/progenitor cells has not yet been elucidated. Objective/Hypothesis: The central hypothesis of this study is that the Wnt/ -catenin pathway plays a critical role in mammary gland stem cell survival, and as a result promotes tumorigenesis and resistance to conventional therapies.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA462791
Entities
People
- Jeffrey M. Rosen
- Mercy S. Chen
Organizations
- Baylor College of Medicine