mutations in colon cancer

Researchers may have figured out one way in which a mutation in a gene thought to be responsible for colon cancer may actually cause the disease. They showed in the laboratory that this gene, APC, normally limits the expression of a protein, survivin, which prevents stem cells in the colon from dying. When APC is altered, survivin works overtime and stem cells in the colon, instead of dying, grow, resulting in cancer.

Contact:
Steve Benowitz
steven.benowitz@mail.tju.edu
215-955-5291
Thomas Jefferson University

Message posted by: Wouter Kalle