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. 1990 Mar;9(3):907–913. doi: 10.1002/j.1460-2075.1990.tb08188.x

The int-2 gene product acts as an epithelial growth factor in transgenic mice.

W J Muller 1, F S Lee 1, C Dickson 1, G Peters 1, P Pattengale 1, P Leder 1
PMCID: PMC551751  PMID: 1690126

Abstract

The induction of mammary tumors by mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) is thought to occur through proviral activation of one or more cellular genes. One of these, int-2, encodes a 27 kd protein which exhibits striking homology to the basic fibroblast growth factor family. To assess directly the role of the int-2 protein in cell proliferation, we have established transgenic mice which carry the int-2 gene driven by the MMTV promoter/enhancer. Expression of the int-2 gene in female transgenic mice results in pronounced mammary gland hyperplasia. Interestingly, expression of the MMTV-int-2 transgene in the prostate gland of male carriers results in a benign, but dramatic, epithelial hyperplasia similar to benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), a common but poorly understood disorder in human populations. Together, these results indicate that the int-2 product can act as a potent growth factor in these epithelial tissues.

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