Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 2026

Defining Gene Functions in Tumorigenesis by Ex vivo Ablation of Floxed Alleles in Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Cells
09:37

Defining Gene Functions in Tumorigenesis by Ex vivo Ablation of Floxed Alleles in Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Cells

Published on: August 25, 2021

Bone morphogenetic protein-2 and -4 play tumor suppressive roles in human diffuse-type gastric carcinoma

Yo-taro Shirai1, Shogo Ehata, Masakazu Yashiro

  • 1Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.

The American Journal of Pathology
|October 15, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) act as tumor suppressors in diffuse-type gastric cancer. Inhibiting BMP signaling accelerates tumor growth, while activating it suppresses cancer cell proliferation.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Defects in bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling are linked to gastric hamartoma and adenoma.
  • The role of BMP signaling in diffuse-type gastric carcinoma progression is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the function of BMP signaling as a tumor suppressor in human diffuse-type gastric carcinoma.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized three human diffuse-type gastric carcinoma cell lines (OCUM-12, HSC-39, OCUM-2MLN).
  • Overexpressed dominant-negative and constitutively active forms of BMP-2/4 receptor (ALK-3).
  • Assessed effects on cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo, cell cycle arrest, and SMAD pathway activation.

Main Results:

  • Overexpression of dominant-negative ALK-3 accelerated tumor growth in vivo.
  • BMP-4 induced cell cycle arrest via p21 induction through the SMAD pathway.
  • Overexpression of constitutively active ALK-3 suppressed cancer cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusions:

  • BMP-2 and BMP-4 function as potent tumor suppressors in diffuse-type gastric carcinoma.
  • BMP signaling pathways are critical targets for understanding and potentially treating this cancer.

More Related Videos

Gene Regulation and Targeted Therapy in Gastric Cancer Peritoneal Metastasis: Radiological Findings from Dual Energy CT and PET/CT10:28

Gene Regulation and Targeted Therapy in Gastric Cancer Peritoneal Metastasis: Radiological Findings from Dual Energy CT and PET/CT

Published on: January 22, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...
Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions01:12

Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions01:12

Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
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...
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...
The Retinoblastoma Gene01:20

The Retinoblastoma Gene

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...