In vivo disruption of an Rb-E2F-Ezh2 signaling loop causes bladder cancer.

ABSTRACT: Bladder cancer is a highly prevalent human disease in which retinoblastoma (Rb) pathway inactivation and epigenetic alterations are common events. However, the connection between these two processes is still poorly understood. Here, we show that the in vivo inactivation of all Rb family genes in the mouse urothelium is sufficient to initiate bladder cancer development. The characterization of the mouse tumors revealed multiple molecular features of human bladder cancer, including the activation of E2F transcription factor and subsequent Ezh2 expression and the activation of several signaling pathways previously identified as highly relevant in urothelial tumors. These mice represent a genetically defined model for human high-grade superficial bladder cancer. Whole transcriptional character

SUBMITTER: Santos M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4233185 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature