Abstract
β-Catenin plays important roles in mammary development and tumorigenesis through its functions in cell adhesion, signal transduction and regulation of cell-context-specific gene expression. Studies in mice have highlighted the critical role of β-catenin signaling for stem cell biology at multiple stages of mammary development. Deregulated β-catenin signaling disturbs stem and progenitor cell dynamics and induces mammary tumors in mice. Recent data showing deregulated β-catenin signaling in metaplastic and basal-type tumors suggest a similar link to reactivated developmental pathways and human breast cancer. The present review will discuss β-catenin as a central transducer of numerous signaling pathways and its role in mammary development and breast cancer.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
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Review
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Breast Neoplasms / genetics
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Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
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Breast Neoplasms / pathology
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Cell Adhesion
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Female
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Gene Expression
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Humans
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Mammary Glands, Animal / growth & development
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Mammary Glands, Animal / metabolism*
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Mammary Glands, Animal / pathology
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Mammary Glands, Human / growth & development
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Mammary Glands, Human / metabolism*
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Mammary Glands, Human / pathology
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Mammary Neoplasms, Animal / genetics
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Mammary Neoplasms, Animal / metabolism*
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Mammary Neoplasms, Animal / pathology
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Mice
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Mice, Transgenic
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Signal Transduction
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Stem Cells / metabolism*
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Wnt Proteins / metabolism
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beta Catenin / genetics*
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beta Catenin / metabolism*
Substances
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Wnt Proteins
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beta Catenin