The Role of the HACE1 Tumor Suppressor in Normal Development and Tumorigenesis

Cancer growth and spread is controlled by cancer-causing genes (oncogenes), which are turned on and cancer-prevention genes (tumour suppressors), which are turned off. Dr. Sorensen identified a new tumour suppressor called HACE1, in a childhood kidney tumour, but subsequently found to be involved in many different cancers. A better understanding of how this gene functions normally will help us understand how turning it off contributes to causing cancer. Remarkably, the zebrafish, a common tropical fish, is an excellent system for studying development and human cancers due to its small size, high reproduction rate and transparent development. We have identified a zebrafish HACE1 counterpart. Established genetic techniques will enable us to study the role of HACE1 in normal zebrafish development and cancer progression. New genes found to be involved in cancer development will then be confirmed in human kidney tumour samples.