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Murine tumor suppressor models
S Venkatachalam1, L A Donehower
1Division of Molecular Virology and Department of Cell Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Abstract:
Tumor suppressor genes have been shown to be necessary for proper maintenance of cell growth control. Inactivation of these genes in the germline of humans is linked to inherited cancer predisposition. Moreover, sporadically arising human tumors often have somatic mutations in tumor suppressor genes. During the past few years, advances in molecular and cellular biology have led to the creation of animal models that have germline mutations of various tumor suppressor genes. Such mice potentially represent important animal models for familial cancer predisposition syndromes, and the study of the tumorigenesis process has been greatly assisted by their development. Such models have also demonstrated the importance of tumor suppressor function in embryonic development. In this review, we describe mice with inactivated germline tumor suppressor genes that are genetically analogous to 10 different inherited cancer syndromes in humans. We describe the variable usefulness of the mutant mice as models for human disease.
Insights
Mice with inactivated tumor suppressor genes serve as models for human inherited cancer syndromes. These models aid in studying tumorigenesis and embryonic development, highlighting the variable usefulness of mutant mice for human disease research.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Tumor suppressor genes are crucial for cell growth control.
- Inactivation of these genes causes inherited cancer predisposition and somatic mutations in tumors.
- Advances in molecular biology have enabled the creation of animal models with germline mutations in tumor suppressor genes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review mice with inactivated germline tumor suppressor genes.
- To identify genetically analogous models for 10 different inherited human cancer syndromes.
- To describe the usefulness of these mutant mice as models for human disease.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature on genetically engineered mice.
- Identification of mouse models with germline mutations in tumor suppressor genes.
- Comparison of these models to 10 human inherited cancer syndromes.
Main Results:
- Development of mice with inactivated germline tumor suppressor genes.
- These mice are genetically analogous to 10 human inherited cancer syndromes.
- The usefulness of these mutant mice as models for human disease varies.
Conclusions:
- Mice with inactivated germline tumor suppressor genes are valuable tools for studying familial cancer predisposition syndromes.
- These models have advanced the understanding of tumorigenesis and the role of tumor suppressor genes in embryonic development.
- The variable usefulness of these mouse models underscores the need for careful consideration when applying them to human disease research.