An inducible mouse model for skin cancer reveals distinct roles for gain- and loss-of-function p53 mutations.

ABSTRACT: Mutations in ras and p53 are the most prevalent mutations found in human nonmelanoma skin cancers. Although some p53 mutations cause a loss of function, most result in expression of altered forms of p53, which may exhibit gain-of-function properties. Therefore, understanding the consequences of acquiring p53 gain-of-function versus loss-of-function mutations is critical for the generation of effective therapies for tumors harboring p53 mutations. Here we describe an inducible mouse model in which skin tumor formation is initiated by activation of an endogenous K-ras(G12D) allele. Using this model we compared the consequences of activating the p53 gain-of-function mutation p53(R172H) and of deleting the p53 gene. Activation of the p53(R172H) allele resulted in increased skin tumor formation

SUBMITTER: Caulin C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1904325 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature