Apoptosis regulation in the mammary gland.
Epithelial apoptosis has a key role in the development and function of the mammary gland. It is involved with the formation of ducts during puberty and is required to remove excess epithelial cells after lactation so that the gland can be prepared for future pregnancies. Deregulated apoptosis contributes to malignant progression in the genesis of breast cancer. Since epithelial cell apoptosis in the lactating mammary gland can be synchronised by forced weaning, it has been possible to undertake biochemical analysis of the pathways involved. Together with the targeted overexpression or deletion of candidate genes, these approaches have provided a unique insight into the complex mechanisms of apoptosis regulation in vivo. This review explores what is currently known about the triggers for apoptosis in the normal mammary gland, and how they link with the intrinsic apoptotic machinery.
School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Stopford Building, Oxford Road, M13 9PT, Manchester, United Kingdom.
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D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000502:physiology; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000502:physiology; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D042361:Mammary Glands, Human / Q000502:physiology*; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000502:physiology; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000502:physiology
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D015850:Interleukin-6; C507837:LIF protein, human; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt