Related Experiment Videos
[Transgenic mice and their use in cancer study]
1Institute for Medical Genetics Kumamoto University Medical School.
Gan to Kagaku Ryoho. Cancer & Chemotherapy
|April 1, 1989
Summary
Transgenic mice allow studying oncogenesis mechanisms, including gene activation by chromosomal translocations like E mu-myc, which induces lymphomas. This model also enables research into viral oncogenesis, such as hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Context:
- Transgenic mouse models are crucial for analyzing gene regulation and oncogenesis.
- Chromosomal translocations, such as the 8;14 translocation activating the c-myc oncogene, are implicated in lymphoid tumors.
- Viral oncogenesis mechanisms, particularly those involving hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human T cell leukemia virus (HTLV), remain poorly understood due to a lack of suitable animal models.
Purpose:
- To establish a transgenic mouse model for studying the molecular mechanisms of oncogenesis.
- To investigate the role of cis-acting DNA sequences in tissue-specific and developmental gene regulation.
- To elucidate the patho-physiological roles of introduced gene products in vivo.
Summary:
- Transgenic mice expressing E mu-myc develop lymphomas, demonstrating how activated oncogenes can induce tumors.
- A novel transgenic mouse model consistently producing HBV has been developed.
- This HBV model provides a platform to study the molecular basis of hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Impact:
- Provides fundamental knowledge on the relationship between activated oncogenes and tumor cell-type specificity.
- Facilitates the study of viral oncogenesis by providing a relevant animal model.
- Enables detailed investigation into the molecular mechanisms underlying hepatitis and liver cancer development.