Functional Analysis of a Novel Transcription Factor That is Amplified and Overexpressed in Breast Cancer
Abstract
DNA amplification at chromosome position 20q13.2 is common in breast cancer, correlates with poor prognosis, and may reflect the presence of an important oncogene that has not been previously characterized. A candidate oncogene in this region, ZNF2l7, whose level of expression matches degree of amplification, has been identified through gene mapping and expression studies. To begin to understand how ZNF2l7 overexpression contributes to breast cancer progression, in vitro studies are being performed to determine how retrovirally transduced ZNF2l7 alters the phenotype of human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) from normal tissue. Several biological assays useful in distinguishing normal HMEC from immortally and tumorigenically transformed cells are being used to compare the ZNF2l7-transduced cells with control cells. To assay the effect of ZNF2l7 expression on replicative lifespan, parallel cultures were infected with ZNF217 or a control virus, and then were passaged up to, or when indicated, beyond the passage at which control cultures senesced or died. Preliminary data indicates that amplification/overexpression of ZNF2l7 may be selected for during human breast cancer progression because it effectively immortalizes susceptible HMEC. Overcoming replicative senescence may be necessary for such cells to accumulate the multiple errors necessary for invasion and metastasis.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADB259033
Entities
People
- Paul Yaswen
Organizations
- University of California, Berkeley