VHL inactivation: a new road to senescence.
Loss of the VHL tumor suppressor gene promotes cancer in several ways, including activation of the HIF transcription factors. HIF overexpression is associated with increased malignancy in many tumor types. So why is the spectrum of tumors associated with VHL loss restricted only to a few specific organs? In a recent paper in the March issue of Nature Cell Biology, Kaelin and colleagues provide a possible explanation, suggesting that VHL loss can also trigger senescence, a potent tumor suppressor mechanism.
Kim
William Y
WY
Department of Medicine, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7295, USA.
Sharpless
Norman E
NE
D000818:Animals; D016922:Cellular Senescence; D006801:Humans; D051793:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D051794:Von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor Protein / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*
D051793:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1; D051794:Von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor Protein