Novel diet-related mouse model of colon cancer parallels human colon cancer.

Aim: To investigate the close parallels between our novel diet-related mouse model of colon cancer and human colon cancer.

Methods: Twenty-two wild-type female mice (ages 6-8 wk) were fed the standard control diet (AIN-93G) and an additional 22 female mice (ages 6-8 wk) were fed the control diet supplemented with 0.2% deoxycholic acid [diet + deoxycholic acid (DOC)] for 10 mo.

Reagents for developmental regulation of Hedgehog signaling.

We have examined a number of reagents for their ability to modulate activity of the Hh signaling pathway during embryonic development of Xenopus. In particular we have focused on regulation of events occurring during tailbud stages and later. Two inducible protein reagents based on the Gli1 and Gli3 transcription factors were generated and the activity of these proteins was compared to the Hh signaling pathway inhibitor, cyclopamine, and the activators, Smoothened agonist (SAG) and purmorphamine (PMA).

Hedgehog regulates angiogenesis of intersegmental vessels through the VEGF signaling pathway.

Background: The cellular mechanisms regulating branching and growth of the intersegmental vessels (ISVs) are not well understood. We have carried out studies demonstrating that Hedgehog (Hh) signaling is a major regulator of intersomitic vessel growth.

Results: Inhibition of Hh activity by cyclopamine completely blocks formation of intersomitic vessels in the avian embryo.

Deficient expression of DNA repair enzymes in early progression to sporadic colon cancer.

Background: Cancers often arise within an area of cells (e.g. an epithelial patch) that is predisposed to the development of cancer, i.