[The APC gene]

The tumor suppressor gene APC is mutated in most cases of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and sporadic colorectal tumors. The product of the APC gene is a 300 kDa protein present in the cytoplasm as a homodimer. Interestingly, the APC protein is known to interact with the adherence junction protein catenin, suggesting that APC may be involved in cell adhesion. More recently we have demonstrated that overexpression of APC blocks cell cycle progression from the G0/G1 to the S phase.