Cripto-1: An Oncofetal Gene with Many Faces

摘要: Human Cripto-1 (CR-1), a member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF)-CFC family, has been implicated in embryogenesis and carcinogenesis. During early vertebrate development, CR-1 functions as co-receptor for Nodal, transforming beta (TGFbeta) family is essential mesoderm endoderm formation anterior-posterior left-right axis establishment. In adult tissues, expressed at low level all stages mammary gland development expression increases during pregnancy lactation. Overexpression mouse epithelial cells leads to their transformation vitro and, when injected into glands, produces ductal hyperplasias. can also enhance migration, invasion, branching morphogenesis mesenchymal transition (EMT) several cell lines. Furthermore, transgenic studies have shown that overexpression human transgene under transcriptional control tumor virus (MMTV) promoter results hyperplasias papillary adenocarcinomas. Finally, high levels approximately 50 80% different types carcinomas, including breast, cervix, colon, stomach, pancreas, lung, ovary, testis. conclusion, EGF-CFC proteins play dual roles embryonic pattern genes oncogenes. While perform specific regulatory related tissue patterning, inappropriate these molecules tissues lead cellular proliferation therefore may be important etiology and/or progression cancer.