Genomic imprinting in human biology and pathology.
Evidence has been recently provided on the relevant role of genomic imprinting in the regulation of implantation, embryonic development, placental growth, and also in development of proliferative trophoblastic diseases and human carcinogenesis. Among the various imprinted genes the cyclin-dependent-kinase inhibitor p57KIP2 (maternally imprinted) is particularly interesting since it can function as a tumor suppressor gene. In this review we describe the different roles of genomic imprinting in human diseases, with particular emphasis on the role of p57KIP2 in molar pregnancy and in tumorigenesis.
Chilosi
M
Department of Anatomical Pathology, University of Verona, Verona, 37134, Italy.
Lestani
M
Piazzola
E
Guasparri
I
Mariuzzi
GM