Article Abstract:
The essential function of Wnt-4 in mammary gland development is discussed. It is downstream of progesterone signaling. If the progesterone receptor is not present in mammary epithelium, ductal sidebranching does not take place. Ectopic expression of the photooncogene Wnt-1 overcomes this lack and its effects.
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Article Abstract:
The progesterone-Wnt connection is of interest relative to side-branching in the mammary gland, which is a derivative of the ectoderm. The existence of transgenic and gene knockout mice has given a way to study how different hormones regulate cell growth, differentiation and death in mammary gland cells. The signaling pathways can be studied and such study may contribute to understanding of breast cancer.
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Article Abstract:
An experimental system for finding out about the cell and genetic biological requirements for breast cancer development has been established. Tumors from transformed primary human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs), transformed by introducing specific genes are badly differentiated carcinomas that grow into nearby tissue. Introducing three genes into primary HMECs gives cells that form tumors when transplanted into the mammary glands of immunocompromised mice or transplanted subcutaneously. The three are genes that encode the telomerase-catalytic subunit, the SV40 large-T antigen, and an H-Ras oncoprotein. The combinations of mutations necessary together to form breast cancer cells are not known.
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