title: Cell fate takes a slug in BRCA1-associated breast cancer.
abstract: Understanding why BRCA1 mutation carriers have a predilection for developing clinically aggressive basal-like breast tumors could inform the development of targeted treatment or prevention strategies. Analysis of both mouse and human mammary epithelial cells has identified a role for BRCA1 in orchestrating differentiation. The ability to isolate discrete epithelial subpopulations from mammary tissue has recently directed attention to luminal progenitor cells - the descendants of mammary stem cells - as the likely 'cells-of-origin' in BRCA1-associated breast cancer. A new publication has confirmed the importance of aberrant luminal cells as key culprits and provided insights on how BRCA1 haploinsufficiency biases luminal cells toward a basal-like fate through aberrant expression of the transcription factor SLUG.
authors.affiliation: Stem Cells and Cancer Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia. lindeman@wehi.edu.au
authors.forename: Geoffrey J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Lindeman
authors.forename: Jane E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Visvader
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019313:BRCA1 Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D019398:Genes, BRCA1; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D042361:Mammary Glands, Human / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D000071250:Snail Family Transcription Factors; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D019313:BRCA1 Protein; C492913:BRCA1 protein, human; C000604407:SNAI1 protein, human; C000604449:Snai2 protein, mouse; D000071250:Snail Family Transcription Factors; D014157:Transcription Factors