Pregnancy-induced changes in cell-fate in the mammary gland.
The protective effect of an early full-term pregnancy is a well established phenomenon; in contrast, the molecular and cell-specific mechanisms that govern parity-specific changes in the mammary gland have not been well described. Recent studies signify a dramatic advance in our understanding of this phenomenon, and indicate a 'cell fate' model for parity-related changes that lead to protection against breast cancer.
Ginger
Melanie R
MR
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA. mginger@bcm.tmc.edu
Rosen
Jeffrey M
JM
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D015674:Mammary Neoplasms, Animal / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D051381:Rats; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000235:genetics
D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53