CDK inhibitors p18INK4c and p27Kip1 mediate two separate pathways to collaboratively suppress pituitary tumorigenesis

DS Franklin, VL Godfrey, H Lee, GI Kovalev… - Genes & …, 1998 - genesdev.cshlp.org
DS Franklin, VL Godfrey, H Lee, GI Kovalev, R Schoonhoven, S Chen-Kiang, L Su, Y Xiong
Genes & development, 1998genesdev.cshlp.org
INK4 and CIP/KIP are two distinct families of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors
implicated in mediating a wide range of cell growth control signals. We have created
p18INK4c-deficient mice. These mice develop gigantism and widespread organomegaly.
The pituitary gland, spleen, and thymus are disproportionately enlarged and hyperplastic. T
and B lymphocytes develop normally in p18-deficient mice, but both exhibit increased
cellularity and a higher proliferative rate upon mitogenic stimulation. Loss of p18, like that of …
INK4 and CIP/KIP are two distinct families of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors implicated in mediating a wide range of cell growth control signals. We have created p18INK4c-deficient mice. These mice develop gigantism and widespread organomegaly. The pituitary gland, spleen, and thymus are disproportionately enlarged and hyperplastic. T and B lymphocytes develop normally in p18-deficient mice, but both exhibit increased cellularity and a higher proliferative rate upon mitogenic stimulation. Loss of p18, like that of p27, but not other CDK inhibitor genes, leads to a gradual progression from intermediate lobe pituitary hyperplasia in young mice to an adenoma by 10 months of age with a nearly complete penetrance. Mice lacking both p18 and p27, like mice chimeric for Rb deficiency, invariably died from pituitary adenomas by 3 months. Hence, p18 and p27 mediate two separate pathways to collaboratively suppress pituitary tumorigenesis, likely by controlling the function of Rb.
genesdev.cshlp.org