Mouse models of DNA mismatch repair in cancer research

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

Germline mutations in DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes are the cause of hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer/Lynch syndrome (HNPCC/LS) one of the most common cancer predisposition syndromes, and defects in MMR are also prevalent in sporadic colorectal cancers. In the past, the generation and analysis of mouse lines with knockout mutations in all of the known MMR genes has provided insight into how loss of individual MMR genes affects genome stability and contributes to cancer susceptibility. These studies also revealed essential functions for some of the MMR genes in B cell maturation and fertility. In this review, we will provide a brief overview of the cancer predisposition phenotypes of recently developed mouse models with targeted mutations in MutS and MutL homologs (Msh and Mlh, respectively) and their utility as preclinical models. The focus will be on mouse lines with conditional MMR mutations that have allowed more accurate modeling of human cancer syndromes in mice and that together with new technologies in gene targeting, hold great promise for the analysis of MMR-deficient intestinal tumors and other cancers which will drive the development of preventive and therapeutic treatment strategies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)140-146
Number of pages7
JournalDNA Repair
Volume38
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2016

Keywords

  • DNA mismatch repair
  • Hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer
  • Lynch syndrome
  • Mlh1
  • Mouse models
  • Msh2

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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