Role of EGE-related Growth Factor Cripto in Murine Mammary Tumorigenesis

Abstract

We are investigating growth factor signaling in the mammary gland through the analysis of Cripto, a member of the novel EGF-CFC gene family. Previous studies have suggested that Cripto may play an autocrine or paracrine role in human breast tumorigenesis. To determine whether Cripto has a causal role in tumorigenesis, and whether it may be involved in normal breast development, we have generated transgenic mice and retroviruses to examine the consequences of Cripto overexpression in cell culture and in vivo. Our studies have shown that these Cripto retroviruses display activity in RC- 11 mammary epithelial cells. To analyze receptor binding by CRIPTO protein, we have generated affinity reagents to screen cDNA expression libraries for Cripto receptor(s), and have developed an immunoprecipitation assay to detect a cell-surface Cripto binding protein. These results demonstrate the feasibility of our approaches to clone the Cripto receptor(s).

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 1998
Accession Number
ADB242947

Entities

People

  • Michael M. Shen

Organizations

  • Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Alzheimer Disease
  • Animal Structures
  • Biological Factors
  • Brain
  • Breast Cancer
  • Cell Line
  • Cells
  • Chemistry
  • Culture Techniques
  • Embryos
  • Epithelial Cells
  • Genetics
  • Genitalia
  • Growth Factors
  • Peptide Growth Factors
  • Peptides
  • Proteins

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

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  • Molecular Biology and Genetics