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Targeted expression of MYCN causes neuroblastoma in transgenic mice
Author(s) -
Weiss William A.,
Aldape Ken,
Mohapatra Gayatry,
Feuerstein Burt G.,
Bishop J.Michael
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.1093/emboj/16.11.2985
Subject(s) - neuroblastoma , biology , carcinogenesis , transgene , cancer research , oncogene , suppressor , genetically modified mouse , gene , tumor suppressor gene , synteny , genetics , genome , cell culture , cell cycle
The proto‐oncogene MYCN is often amplified in human neuroblastomas. The assumption that the amplification contributes to tumorigenesis has never been tested directly. We have created transgenic mice that overexpress MYCN in neuroectodermal cells and develop neuroblastoma. Analysis of tumors by comparative genomic hybridization revealed gains and losses of at least seven chromosomal regions, all of which are syntenic with comparable abnormalities detected in human neuroblastomas. In addition, we have shown that increases in MYCN dosage or deficiencies in either of the tumor suppressor genes NF1 or RB1 can augment tumorigenesis by the transgene. Our results provide direct evidence that MYCN can contribute to the genesis of neuroblastoma, suggest that the genetic events involved in the genesis of neuroblastoma can be tumorigenic in more than one chronological sequence, and offer a model for further study of the pathogenesis and therapy of neuroblastoma.