DF/HCC Program Affiliation

Angiogenesis, Invasion, and Metastasis

Research Abstract

Our work focuses on two areas related to cancer. The first focus is on the Wilms' tumor suppressor gene, which encodes a transcription factor required in organogenesis. We are using Wt1 transgenic and knockout mice to evaluate the function of Wt1 in development and cancer. The second focus is on the function of integrins, which are cell adhesion receptors. Our interest is on understanding the mechanism by which alpha3 beta1 integrin regulates cadherin mediated adhesion, and how this may affect tumor invasiveness.

Publications

• Natoli TA, Liu J, Eremina V, Hodgens K, Li C, Hamano Y, Mundel P, Kalluri R, Miner JH, Quaggin SE, Kreidberg JA.A mutant form of the Wilms' tumor suppressor gene WT1 observed in Denys-Drash syndrome interferes with glomerular capillary development.J Am So
  12138137
• Wang Z, Symons JM, Goldstein SL, McDonald A, Miner JH, Kreidberg JA.(Alpha)3(beta)1 integrin regulates epithelial cytoskeletal organization.J Cell Sci 1999 Sep;112 ( Pt 17):2925-35.
  10444387
• Donovan MJ, Natoli TA, Sainio K, Amstutz A, Jaenisch R, Sariola H, Kreidberg JA.Initial differentiation of the metanephric mesenchyme is independent of WT1 and the ureteric bud.Dev Genet 1999;24(3-4):252-62.
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• Kreidberg JA, Donovan MJ, Goldstein SL, Rennke H, Shepherd K, Jones RC, Jaenisch R.Alpha 3 beta 1 integrin has a crucial role in kidney and lung organogenesis.Development 1996 Nov;122(11):3537-47.
  8951069