Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 10, 2026

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

Published on: August 25, 2021

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Identification of RECK as an evolutionarily conserved tumor suppressor gene for zebrafish malignant peripheral nerve

Rashmi Kumari1, Martin R Silic1, Yava L Jones-Hall1,2

  • 1Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA.

Oncotarget
|May 29, 2018
PubMed

Insights

The RECK gene acts as a tumor suppressor, inhibiting the growth of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs). Restoring RECK in human MPNST cells offers a potential new therapeutic strategy for this aggressive cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are aggressive sarcomas with poor prognoses.
  • Chromosome 9p deletions are common in MPNSTs, but key cancer driver genes remain largely unidentified.
  • RECK was previously proposed as a tumor suppressor candidate on chromosome 9p.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of the RECK gene in MPNST tumorigenesis using zebrafish models.
  • To examine the therapeutic potential of RECK gene restoration in human MPNST cell lines.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized zebrafish genetic models with tp53 and ribosomal protein gene mutations.
  • Assessed the impact of RECK gene restoration on human MPNST cell line growth.

Main Results:

  • Provided the first genetic evidence that RECK functions as a bona fide tumor suppressor gene in MPNSTs within zebrafish.
  • Demonstrated that RECK gene restoration inhibits growth in human MPNST cells.

Conclusions:

  • RECK is a critical tumor suppressor gene for MPNST development.
  • Reactivating RECK presents a promising therapeutic avenue for MPNST treatment.
Keywords:
MPNSTRECKpPNETtumor suppressor gene (TSG)zebrafish

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