Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Changes in Mammary Gland Morphology and Breast Cancer Risk in Rats
Published on: October 17, 2010
The role of C/EBPbeta in mammary gland development and breast cancer
Sandra L Grimm1, Jeffrey M Rosen
1Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
Abstract:
The CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) family of bZIP transcription factors control the proliferation and differentiation of a variety of tissues. While C/EBPalpha and -delta are also expressed in the mammary gland, the multiple protein isoforms of C/EBPbeta appear to play a critical role in mammary gland development and breast cancer. Targeted deletion of all the C/EBPbeta isoforms results in a severe inhibition of lobuloalveolar development and a block to functional differentiation, as well as more subtle changes in ductal morphogenesis. The altered expression of a number of molecular markers, including the progesterone, estrogen, and prolactin receptors, the transporter proteins (NKCC1 and aquaporin 5), and several markers of skin differentiation (Sprr2A and keratin 6), suggests that germline deletion of C/EBPbeta results in an altered cell fate. Thus, C/EBPbeta appears to play a role in the specification of progenitor cell fate not only in the mammary gland, but also in a number of other tissues.
Related Concept Videos
Cell Specific Gene Expression
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle
Cadherins in Tissue Organization
Cell Sorting During Development
Cell sorting plays an...
Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
The Mammary Glands
Each breast features a pigmented projection known as the nipple, through which milk emerges via closely spaced openings of ducts, referred to as lactiferous ducts. Surrounding the nipple is a circular pigmented area of skin named the areola, which appears rough due to...

