Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 9, 2026

A Novel Strategy Combining Array-CGH, Whole-exome Sequencing and In Utero Electroporation in Rodents to Identify Causative Genes for Brain Malformations
08:22

A Novel Strategy Combining Array-CGH, Whole-exome Sequencing and In Utero Electroporation in Rodents to Identify Causative Genes for Brain Malformations

Published on: December 1, 2017

The WFDC1 gene encoding ps20 localizes to 16q24, a region of LOH in multiple cancers

M Larsen1, S J Ressler, M J Gerdes

  • 1Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.

Mammalian Genome : Official Journal of the International Mammalian Genome Society
|September 1, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Researchers identified the mouse and human WFDC1 genes, homologs of the ps20 protein. The WFDC1 gene

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • The ps20 protein was previously identified as a secreted growth inhibitor in rat prostate mesenchymal cells.
  • Ps20 contains a WAP-type four-disulfide core motif, suggesting a role as a protease inhibitor.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To clone and characterize the mouse ps20 gene (Wfdc1) and its human homolog (WFDC1).
  • To investigate the potential role of WFDC1 and ps20 in prostate biology and cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Cloning of mouse Wfdc1 and human WFDC1 cDNA and gene.
  • Sequence analysis and comparison of mouse and human WFDC1.
  • Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for gene mapping.

Main Results:

  • The mouse Wfdc1 and human WFDC1 genes consist of seven exons.
  • Mouse and human ps20 proteins share 79.1% identity with nearly identical WAP motifs.
  • The human WFDC1 gene was mapped to Chromosome 16q24, a region associated with LOH in various cancers.

Conclusions:

  • The characterization of the WFDC1 gene provides a foundation for understanding its function.
  • WFDC1's location on Chr 16q24 suggests a potential role in carcinogenesis, particularly in prostate cancer.
  • Further research into WFDC1 and ps20 may elucidate their involvement in prostate development and disease.

More Related Videos

Mapping the Structure-Function Relationships of Disordered Oncogenic Transcription Factors Using Transcriptomic Analysis09:58

Mapping the Structure-Function Relationships of Disordered Oncogenic Transcription Factors Using Transcriptomic Analysis

Published on: June 27, 2020

DNA-FISH Metaphase Spreads to Distinguish Extrachromosomal DNA from Homogeneously Staining Regions in Human Cancer Cell Lines08:21

DNA-FISH Metaphase Spreads to Distinguish Extrachromosomal DNA from Homogeneously Staining Regions in Human Cancer Cell Lines

Published on: August 4, 2026

Related Concept Videos

Pleiotropy01:47

Pleiotropy

Pleiotropy is the phenomenon in which a single gene impacts multiple, seemingly unrelated phenotypic traits. For example, defects in the SOX10 gene cause Waardenburg Syndrome Type 4, or WS4, which can cause defects in pigmentation, hearing impairments, and an absence of intestinal contractions necessary for elimination. This diversity of phenotypes results from the expression pattern of SOX10 in early embryonic and fetal development. SOX10 is found in neural crest cells that form melanocytes,...
Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell02:21

Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell

Cancer arises from mutations in the critical genes that allow healthy cells to escape cell cycle regulation and acquire the ability to proliferate indefinitely. Though originating from a single mutation event in one of the originator cells, cancer progresses when the mutant cell lines continue to gain more and more mutations, and finally, become malignant. For example, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) develops initially as a non-lethal increase in white blood cells, which progressively...
Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes01:33

Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell02:21

Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell

Cancer arises from mutations in the critical genes that allow healthy cells to escape cell cycle regulation and acquire the ability to proliferate indefinitely. Though originating from a single mutation event in one of the originator cells, cancer progresses when the mutant cell lines continue to gain more and more mutations, and finally, become malignant. For example, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) develops initially as a non-lethal increase in white blood cells, which progressively...
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...