Oncogenic and Suppressive Functions of Nkx2-1 in Lung Adenocarcinoma
Winslow, Dayton et al., Nature
MIT's Tyler Jacks and his colleagues describe the "suppression of lung adenocarcinoma progression by Nkx2-1," the NK2-related homeobox transcription factor. In a KrasLSL-G12D/+;p53flox/floxmouse model, the team found that "Nkx2-1 negativity is pathognomonic of high-grade poorly differentiated tumors." In their subsequent gain- and loss-of-function manipulations, the researchers found that the transcription factor controls tumor differentiation but also limits its metastatic potential. "Thus, the oncogenic and suppressive functions of Nkx2-1 in the same tumor type substantiate its role as a dual function lineage factor," Jacks et al. write.
