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Navigating Breast Cancer: Axon Guidance Molecules as Breast Cancer Tumor Suppressors and Oncogenes

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Journal of Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Slit, Netrin, Ephrin, and Semaphorin’s roles in development have expanded greatly in the past decade from their original characterization as axon guidance molecules (AGMs) to include roles as regulators of tissue morphogenesis and development in diverse organs. In the mammary gland, AGMs are important for maintaining normal cell proliferation and adhesion during development. The frequent dysregulation of AGM expression during tumorigenesis and tumor progression suggests that AGMs also play a crucial role as tumor suppressors and oncogenes in breast cancer. Moreover, these findings suggest that AGMs may be excellent targets for new breast cancer prognostic tests and more effective therapeutic strategies.

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Abbreviations

AGM:

Axon Guidance Molecule

CUB:

Complement-Homology Domain

EGF:

Epidermal Growth Factor

ER:

Estrogen Receptor

Ig:

Immunoglobulin

MAM:

Meptin/A5/Mu-Phosphatase Homology Domain

TEB:

Terminal End Bud

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by funds from the NIH RO1 (CA-128902, L.H.), Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (W81XWH-08-1-0380, L.H.), Santa Cruz Cancer Benefit Group (L.H.) and the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (TG2-01157, G.H.).

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  1. Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA

    Gwyndolen C. Harburg & Lindsay Hinck

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  1. Gwyndolen C. Harburg
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  2. Lindsay Hinck
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Correspondence to Lindsay Hinck.

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Harburg, G.C., Hinck, L. Navigating Breast Cancer: Axon Guidance Molecules as Breast Cancer Tumor Suppressors and Oncogenes. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 16, 257–270 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10911-011-9225-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10911-011-9225-1

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