Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes

Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol. 2010 Oct;2(10):a003236. doi: 10.1101/cshperspect.a003236. Epub 2010 Aug 18.

Abstract

Breast cancer progression involves multiple genetic events, which can activate dominant-acting oncogenes and disrupt the function of specific tumor suppressor genes. This article describes several key oncogene and tumor suppressor signaling networks that have been implicated in breast cancer progression. Among the tumor suppressors, the article emphasizes BRCA1/2 and p53 tumor suppressors. In addition to these well characterized tumor suppressors, the article highlights the importance of PTEN tumor suppressor in counteracting PI3K signaling from activated oncogenes such as ErbB2. This article discusses the use of mouse models of human breast that recapitulate the key genetic events involved in the initiation and progression of breast cancer. Finally, the therapeutic potential of targeting these key tumor suppressor and oncogene signaling networks is discussed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Cyclin D1 / genetics
  • Female
  • Genes, Tumor Suppressor*
  • Genes, erbB-2 / genetics
  • Genes, myc / genetics
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Oncogenes / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics

Substances

  • CCND1 protein, human
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • PI3KCA protein, human
  • Transcription Factors
  • Cyclin D1