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Defining Gene Functions in Tumorigenesis by Ex vivo Ablation of Floxed Alleles in Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Cells
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A knockout mouse approach reveals that TCTP functions as an essential factor for cell proliferation and survival in a

Sung Ho Chen1, Peih-Shan Wu, Chiang-Hung Chou

  • 1Institutes of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.

Molecular Biology of the Cell
|May 4, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Translationally controlled Tumor Protein (TCTP) is essential for embryonic development. TCTP knockout mice show embryonic lethality due to defects in epiblast cell number and increased apoptosis.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Translationally controlled Tumor Protein (TCTP) is a highly conserved protein involved in cell growth, death, and allergic responses.
  • Its precise physiological roles, particularly during embryonic development, remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the essential physiological roles of TCTP during mouse embryonic development using a gene knockout approach.

Main Methods:

  • Generation of TCTP knockout mice via targeted gene disruption.
  • Analysis of embryonic development, morphology, cell proliferation, and apoptosis in homozygous TCTP(-/-) embryos.
  • Comparison of TCTP(-/-) and wild-type mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) for proliferation and apoptotic sensitivity.

Main Results:

  • Homozygous TCTP(-/-) mice exhibit embryonic lethality, with smaller embryos and reduced epiblast cell numbers at E5.5.
  • TCTP(-/-) embryos display increased apoptosis in the epiblast from E6.5 and die around E9.5-10.5 with severe structural disorganization.
  • TCTP(-/-) and wild-type MEFs show similar proliferation rates and apoptotic sensitivities, indicating tissue-specific roles.

Conclusions:

  • TCTP is crucial for embryonic development, particularly for epiblast cell survival and proliferation.
  • TCTP's function in regulating cell proliferation and survival appears to be tissue- or cell type-specific.

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