Gata-3 and mammary cell fate
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* Corresponding author: Christopher J Ormandy c.ormandy@garvan.org.au
Cancer Research Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010 Australia
Breast Cancer Research 2007, 9:302 doi:10.1186/bcr1661
Published: 19 March 2007Abstract
Genomic regulatory networks specify how cellular gene expression responds to external temporal and spatial stimuli, ensuring that correct cell fate decisions are made and the appropriate cell phenotypes are adopted. In mammary epithelial cells, the hierarchy of stem and progenitor cells and the genetically specified program of transcriptional activity are beginning to be elucidated and integrated. A novel role for Gata-3 in specifying and maintaining mammary cell fate has recently been identified. These reports offer an understanding of how mammary cells assume and maintain a variety of cell behaviours and functions, and how a mammary cell may potentially subvert these constraints during carcinogenesis.