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Concerted activation of two potential proto-oncogenes in carcinomas induced by mouse mammary tumour virus

Nature volume 320, pages 628–631 (1986)Cite this article

Abstract

The induction of tumours by retroviruses lacking transduced oncogenes can involve the transcriptional or functional activation of cellular proto-oncogenes by an integrated provirus1–8. Thus, the two cellular genes int-1 and int-2, identified as common targets for activation by mouse mammary tumour virus (MMTV), may constitute previously unrecognized oncogenes9,10. In tumours, proviral insertion at these loci leads to expression of messenger RNAs which are undetectable in normal mammary glands11,12. Here we report that in a survey of the two transcriptional activity and structural integrity of the two int loci in 30 BR6 mouse mammary tumours, around 50% of the tumours expressed both of these genes, in ostensibly monoclonal cell populations. Our data suggest that int-1 and int-2 may act cooperatively in the genesis of mammary carcinomas. However, because three tumours (10%) involved neither gene, and because in five cases activation occurred in the apparent absence of an adjacent provirus, it is clear that other loci and mechanisms contribute to tumorigenesis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Imperial Cancer Research Fund Laboratories, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, EC1A 7BE, UK

    Gordon Peters

  2. Imperial Cancer Research Fund Laboratories, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3PX, UK

    Audrey E. Lee & Clive Dickson

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  1. Gordon Peters
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Peters, G., Lee, A. & Dickson, C. Concerted activation of two potential proto-oncogenes in carcinomas induced by mouse mammary tumour virus. Nature 320, 628–631 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1038/320628a0

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