[Tumor suppressor genes].

Abstract

Cell fusion experiments performed by Harris et al. informed that tumor suppressor genes are inactivated in malignant cells. Inactivation of tumor suppressor genes induced by genetic alteration such as point mutation and deletion leads to disturbance in the control of cell proliferation resulting in deregulated growth of normal cells. Recently, many challenges of scientists including clinicians trying to direct the studies of tumor suppressors toward cancer therapy have been stimulated. For that purpose, it is important to understand the molecular mechanism in which change of normal phenotypes into tumor take place. In this review, recent topics on tumor suppressors such as Rb, p53, Wt1, APC, NF1, s-Myc and H19 are included to discuss their significance and function.