Cripto: expression, epigenetic regulation and potential diagnostic use in testicular germ cell tumors

Type II germ cell tumors arise after puberty from a germ cell that was incorrectly programmed during fetal life. Failure of testicular germ cells to properly differentiate can lead to the formation of germ cell neoplasia in situ of the testis; this precursor cell invariably gives rise to germ cell cancer after puberty. The Nodal co-receptor Cripto is expressed transiently during normal germ cell development and is ectopically expressed in non-seminomas that arise from germ cell neoplasia in situ, suggesting that its aberrant expression may underlie germ cell dysregulation and hence germ cell cancer.

Source: Molecular Oncology - November 17, 2015 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Cassy Spiller, Ad Gillis, Guillaume Burnet, Hans Stoop, Peter Koopman, Josephine Bowles, Leendert Looijenga Source Type: research