Cancer resistance in transgenic mice expressing the SAC module of Par-4

Cancer Res. 2007 Oct 1;67(19):9276-85. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-07-2124.

Abstract

Prostate apoptosis response-4 (Par-4) is a tumor-suppressor protein that induces apoptosis in cancer cells, but not in normal/immortalized cells. The cancer-specific proapoptotic action of Par-4 is encoded in its centrally located SAC domain. We report here the characterization of a novel mouse model with ubiquitous expression of the SAC domain. Although SAC transgenic mice displayed normal development and life span, they were resistant to the growth of spontaneous, as well as oncogene-induced, autochthonous tumors. Resistance to tumorigenesis was linked to inhibition of nuclear factor-kappaB activity and induction of apoptosis by the SAC domain. Collectively, our findings provide genetic evidence that the SAC domain of Par-4 confers cancer resistance in transgenic mice without compromising normal viability or aging, and may have therapeutic significance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / metabolism
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / genetics*
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / prevention & control*
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Receptors, Proteinase-Activated / biosynthesis*
  • Receptors, Proteinase-Activated / genetics
  • Receptors, Proteinase-Activated / metabolism
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • Receptors, Proteinase-Activated
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • protease-activated receptor 4, mouse
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins