Hmga1 null mice are less susceptible to chemically induced skin carcinogenesis.

The HMGA1 proteins have a critical role in the process of carcinogenesis. They are overexpressed in most human malignant neoplasias, and the inhibition of their expression has been shown to prevent cell transformation and results in malignant cell death. To determine whether HMGA1 proteins are also required for in vivo carcinogenesis, we compared the tumour susceptibility of mice wild-type or knockout for the Hmga1-null allele using a two-stage chemical skin carcinogenesis protocol.