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Mammary gland tumor formation in transgenic mice overexpressing stromelysin-1

Journal Article · · Seminars in Cancer Biology

An intact basement membrane (BM) is essential for the proper function, differentiation and morphology of many epithelial cells. The disruption or loss of this BM occurs during normal development as well as in the disease state. To examine the importance of BM during mammary gland development in vivo, we generated transgenic mice that inappropriately express autoactivating isoforms of the matrix metalloproteinase stromelysin-1. The mammary glands from these mice are both functionally and morphologically altered throughout development. We have now documented a dramatic incidence of breast tumors in several independent lines of these mice. These data suggest that overexpression of stromelysin-1 and disruption of the BM may be a key step in the multi-step process of breast cancer.

Research Organization:
Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA (US)
Sponsoring Organization:
Life Sciences Division
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-05CH11231
OSTI ID:
989228
Report Number(s):
LBNL-3949E
Journal Information:
Seminars in Cancer Biology, Journal Name: Seminars in Cancer Biology Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 6; ISSN 1044579X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English