title: Wilms' tumour gene and function.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Council, Human Genetics Unit, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, Scotland.
authors.forename: N D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Hastie
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016162:Genes, Wilms Tumor / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D025721:WT1 Proteins; D016335:Zinc Fingers
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D025721:WT1 Proteins