Delta N89 beta-catenin induces precocious development, differentiation, and neoplasia in mammary gland

To investigate the role of beta-catenin in mammary gland development and neoplasia, we expressed a stabilized, transcriptionally active form of beta-catenin lacking the NH(2)-terminal 89 amino acids (Delta N 89 beta-catenin) under the control of the mouse mammary tumor virus long terminal repeat. Our results show that Delta N 89 beta-catenin induces precocious lobuloalveolar development and differentiation in the mammary glands of both male and female mice. Virgin Delta N 89 beta-catenin mammary glands resemble those found in wild-type (wt) pregnant mice and inappropriately express cyclin D1 mRNA. In contrast to wt mammary glands, which resume a virgin appearance after cessation of lactation, transgenic mammary glands involute to a midpregnant status. All transgenic females develop multiple aggressive adenocarcinomas early in life. Surprisingly, the Delta N89 beta-catenin phenotype differs from those elicited by overexpression of Wnt genes in this gland. In particular, Delta N 89 beta-catenin has no effect on ductal side branching. This suggests that Wnt induction of ductal branching involves additional downstream effectors or modulators.