Search for chromosomal regions carrying uterine cancer susceptibility genes in rats

Abstract

Uterine cancer is the fourth most frequent cancer in women. Therefore, a suitable animal model is needed. The BDII rat appears to be a good model since there are similarities in the uterine tumors in man and rat. These similarities refer to the estrogen dependent growth, the age related occurrence, the histological pattern and the inheritance.

Virgin BDII rats develop these tumors with an incidence >90%. F1 and F2 offspring of a cross between BDII and SPRD-Cu₃ (resistant) as well as BN (low incidence) are informative for the genetics of this heritable, the following number of malignant uterine tumors occured:

F1-population: BDII × SPRD-Cu₃ (n = 16): 1 (6,25%) BDII × BN (n = 18): 8 (44%)

F2-population: BDII × SPRD-Cu₃ (n = 53): 10 (18,5%) BDII × BN (n = 59): 16 (27%)

Together with teams from Gothenburg and Brussel we have started a whole genome scan in both F2 populations. Our group examined RNO 4, 7, 11, 12, 13, 15, 18, 19, 20. RNO11 and RNO13 turned out to be interesting regarding the uterine tumors. Upon fine mapping it should be possible to identify the relevant genes and to use this information to identify the respective chromosomal regions in man.