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Acta Physiologica 2009; Volume 197, Supplement 675
Joint meeting of The Slovenian Physiological Society, The Austrian Physiological Society and The Federation of European Physiological Societies
11/12/2009-11/15/2009
Ljubljana, Slovenia
SERPIN IN CANCER: MASPIN AS A PARADIGM
Abstract number: L38
Zhang1 Ming, Lurie2 Robert H.
1Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Biological Chemistry, email: [email protected]
2Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Center for Genetic Medicine, 303 E. Superior Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Maspin is a unique serpin with diverse biological functions. Initially identified from human normal mammary epithelial cells, maspin expression is either reduced or completely silenced in breast cancers. Numerous studies have implicated maspin function in cancer progression and angiogenesis. Maspin has also been targeted for breast cancer gene therapy. Recently, transgenic and gene knockout mouse models have been used by our laboratory to identify the biological functions of maspin in vivo. In this report, I will summarize the multiple functions of maspin in tumor progression and mouse development. Maspin knockout mice have been generated to address its function. Beginning with embryo development, maspin is required for the appropriate cell-matrix interactions to occur so that a healthy and viable embryo develops. In adult mouse, maspin is present in the epithelial cells of most tissues. Our laboratory has begun to unveil the role of maspin in the development of mammary gland and several other organs. These data demonstrate that maspin not only plays a role in tumor progression and metastasis but also is a key regulatory molecule for normal mammary gland and embryonic development.
To cite this abstract, please use the following information:
Acta Physiologica 2009; Volume 197, Supplement 675 :L38