Transgenic models of tumor development

Article Abstract:

New techniques of molecular biology have contributed greatly to the understanding of cancer. Among the techniques that have proved useful in understanding carcinogenesis is transgenic animals. The first use of transgenic mice in the study of cancer was reported in 1984. Cancer-causing genes were introduced into mouse eggs; when these eggs were returned to appropriately primed females, the offspring harbored the oncogenes. Mice susceptible to brain tumors and breast cancer were first developed in this way. The authors describe the current state of cancer research using transgenic animals as experimental models. Many different cancers have been studied using this technique. Breast cancer has been extensively studied, largely due to its high incidence in humans. Oncogenes such as 'ras' and 'myc' have been found to be altered in human breast cancer. When these genes are introduced into mice, tumors develop, but only sporadically. This indicates that the altered genes that have been introduced contribute to the development of cancer, but in themselves are not sufficient to cause cancer. One of the advantages of using transgenic animal models is that the tissues may be examined before any cancer has had time to develop, providing insights into the precancerous state. Such studies have indicated that the myc gene, for instance, appears to play a role in stimulating the proliferation of cells, and that the stimulation favors self-renewal. That is, unlike many instances of cell proliferation, in which daughter cells stop replicating and differentiate to assume some mature cell function, the cell proliferation stimulated by mutant myc genes results in daughter cells just like the parent, which continue to proliferate. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Cancer research, Genetically modified animals, Genetically modified mice

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Transgenic mice as probes into complex systems

Article Abstract:

Transgenic mice have been implanted with foreign DNA, deoxyribose nucleic acid, which codes for molecules involved in the processes of life, at the embryo stage. The effect of a particular gene can be studied with these transgenic mice, and insights into a number of biological problems have been obtained. Recent results regarding immunological self-tolerance, oncogenes involved in the development of cancer, and mammalian development are discussed. The body's immune system can distinguish foreign substances from self, or non-foreign substances, and normally will respond only against the foreign substances; this is known as self-tolerance. New genetic information can be introduced into transgenic mice, such that the gene product will then be recognized as self, allowing the characteristics of self-tolerance to be studied. The use of transgenic mice in studying cancer has shown that oncogenes, genes that are involved in cell multiplication, are centrally involved in cancer development. The use of transgenic mice provides ways to study mammalian development by changing existing genes, adding new genes, or perturbing developing systems. When DNA is inserted into a segment of a chromosome, the foreign DNA can disrupt the function of the genes located in that segment. This method, called perturbation analysis, allows insight into complex systems and provides information about the development, function and malfunction of the systems. The use of transgenic mice is a method to study the effects of genes on entire bodily systems. This laboratory method has provided new insights to biological problems and will be used to study other systems, including genetic treatment of disease. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Models, Usage, Genetic aspects, Mice, Mice (Rodents), Developmental biology, Mice, mutant strains, Mutant mice, Immunological tolerance, Immunologic tolerance

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Signaling vascular morphogenesis and maintenance

Article Abstract:

Paracrine signals are responsible for the formation and remodeling of blood vessels. Many of these signals are protein ligands that bind and control the activity of transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). Most RTKs are active inintracellular signal transduction and induce cell growth.

Growth, Blood vessels, Growth factors, Cell receptors

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