A new mouse model is providing valuable insight into the biochemical pathways that are associated with development of renal cysts and renal cell cancer.
The research, published in the April issue of the journal Cancer Cell, published by Cell Press, provides new information about the relationship between hypoxia and cancer progression. In addition, it is likely that this mouse model may prove to be a useful tool for testing therapeutic strategies for renal cell cancer.
Mutations in the Krebs cycle enzyme fumarate hydratase (FH) tumor suppressor gene are present in individuals with renal cysts and renal cell cancer (HLRCC). These mutations are also linked to overexpression of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), a transcription factor that is activated when cells are exposed to an environment that is deficient in oxygen. In order to provide a model of HLRCC as well as to further examine the role of Krebs cycle dysfunction in cancer initiation and progression, Dr. Patrick J. Pollard from the Molecular and Population Genetics Laboratory at the London Research Institute and colleagues created a kidney-specific Fh1-deficient mouse model.