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Off and back-on again: a tumor suppressor's tale
Jonuelle Acosta1, Walter Wang2, David M Feldser3,4,5
1Biomedical Graduate Studies Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 421 Curie Blvd., 751 BRB II/III, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6160, USA.
Oncogene
|March 16, 2018
Summary
Tumor suppressor genes have diverse anti-cancer roles beyond cell division. New genetic tools allow toggling these genes off and on, revealing context-specific tumor suppression mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Tumor suppressor genes are crucial for preventing cancer through diverse mechanisms.
- Their functions extend beyond cell division to metabolism, immune surveillance, and epigenetics.
- Understanding context-specific roles presents a significant challenge in cancer research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the development and application of genetic systems for manipulating tumor suppressor gene activity.
- To highlight how these systems can uncover precise, context-dependent tumor suppressor functions.
- To explore the potential of these tools in advancing cancer research.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) of cancer.
- Implementing genetic systems to conditionally inactivate tumor suppressor genes.
- Employing techniques for the timely re-activation of tumor suppressor gene function in specific disease contexts.
Main Results:
- Genetic systems enable precise toggling of tumor suppressor genes 'off' and 'on' in vivo.
- These methods facilitate unbiased investigation of context-specific tumor suppressor activities.
- GEMMs with inducible systems are powerful tools for dissecting tumor suppression mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Sophisticated genetic tools, particularly in GEMMs, are revolutionizing the study of tumor suppressor genes.
- Conditional gene manipulation ('off' and 'on' toggling) is key to uncovering context-dependent tumor suppression.
- This approach promises to reveal the intricate 'tale' of tumor suppressors in cancer prevention and progression.