Protein Kinases in Mammary Gland Development and Carcinogenesis
Abstract
Elucidating the mechanisms by which hormones affect normal programs of differentiation and development in the breast is essential for understanding the complex role that hormones play in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. Studies of differentiation, development, and carcinogenesis in a variety of biological systems have emphasized the importance of protein kinases in these processes. We have identified two novel serine/threonine kinases; I43, a member of the CaM kinase family, and A32, a SNF1-related kinase. Expression analysis of I43 suggests a role late in pregnancy, possibly during differentiation since expression levels peak late in pregnancy and are also induced during NGF-treatment of PC-12 cells. Conversely, A32 levels peak early in pregnancy and decrease when PC-12 cells are treated with NGF suggesting a role early in differentiation. These kinases are also expressed in a mutually exclusive manner in mammary tumor cell lines derived from different transgenic animals. In order to determine the functional role of these kinases, we have begun to overexpress full-length clones in a variety of tissue culture systems and in transgenic mice which overexpress the kinase of interest in a mammary-specific fashion. As such, we believe these studies will contribute to our understanding of the role played by I43 and A32 in mammary gland development and carcinogenesis.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADB233138
Entities
People
- Heather P. Gardner
- Lewis A Chodosh
Organizations
- University of Pennsylvania