Wilms' tumour gene and function.
The Wilms' tumour gene, WT1, encodes a protein with four zinc fingers that is probably a transcription factor. In humans, WT1 mutations can lead to childhood kidney tumours and to developmental defects of the kidney and gonad. The WT1 gene may have a role in the mesenchyme to epithelial switch in a range of mesodermally derived tissues. Furthermore, growth-factor genes may be targets for repression by the WT1 protein during development. WT1 is the first example of a tumour-suppressor gene with a specific developmental role.
Hastie
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Medical Research Council, Human Genetics Unit, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, Scotland.
D000818:Animals; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016162:Genes, Wilms Tumor / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D025721:WT1 Proteins; D016335:Zinc Fingers
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D025721:WT1 Proteins