Common Fragile Site Tumor Suppressor Genes and Corresponding Mouse Models of Cancer

Chromosomal common fragile sites (CFSs) are specific mammalian genomic regions that show an increased frequency of gaps and breaks when cells are exposed to replication stress in vitro. CFSs are also consistently involved in chromosomal abnormalities in vivo related to cancer. Interestingly, several...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Alessandra Drusco, Yuri Pekarsky, Stefan Costinean, Anna Antenucci, Laura Conti, Stefano Volinia, Rami I. Aqeilan, Kay Huebner, Nicola Zanesi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hindawi Limited 2011-01-01
Series:Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2011/984505
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Summary:Chromosomal common fragile sites (CFSs) are specific mammalian genomic regions that show an increased frequency of gaps and breaks when cells are exposed to replication stress in vitro. CFSs are also consistently involved in chromosomal abnormalities in vivo related to cancer. Interestingly, several CFSs contain one or more tumor suppressor genes whose structure and function are often affected by chromosomal fragility. The two most active fragile sites in the human genome are FRA3B and FRA16D where the tumor suppressor genes FHIT and WWOX are located, respectively. The best approach to study tumorigenic effects of altered tumor suppressors located at CFSs in vivo is to generate mouse models in which these genes are inactivated. This paper summarizes our present knowledge on mouse models of cancer generated by knocking out tumor suppressors of CFS.
ISSN:1110-7243
1110-7251