Genetic mutations that arise after birth are one of cancer's main drivers. But what effect do inherited 'germline' genetic variants have on the progression of tumours with these mutations?
A team led by Allan Balmain at the University of California, San Francisco, studied how germline genetic variants affected the expression of genes associated with skin cancer in mice. The authors used animals genetically prone to developing cancerous tumours that had been treated with tumour-inducing chemicals. They say these mice are more relevant models for human genetic heterogeneity than other mouse strains typically used for cancer research.
The team found that the effect of germline variants on gene expression decreased as skin tumours progressed, indicating that the spontaneous mutations may have rewired genomic networks. However, this rewiring may also have led to the expression of certain genes linked to inflammation and tumour susceptibility coming under germline control in tumours.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Teasing apart cancer's influences. Nature 470, 143 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/470143e
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/470143e
