This report describes a model of metastatic intestinal cancer that uses the Drosophila sna gene in combination with an existing model of intestinal cancer (FBhh0000912) using Apc or Apc2 with Ras85D. The established APC-RAS-related model of intestinal stem cell cancer does not show metastatic behavior outside the Drosophila midgut, which is analogous to the human small intestine.
This APC-RAS-SNA metastatic cancer model was designed as an extension of the existing APC-RAS model, which does not show metastatic qualities. For details about the roles of Apc, Apc2, and Ras85D in this model, see the human disease model report 'cancer, intestinal stem cell, APC-RAS-related' (FBhh0000912).
Similar to APC-RAS tumors, APC-RAS-SNA clones grow rapidly in the gut, but also metastasize to multiple other locations (head, ovary, legs) within 2-3 weeks. These tumors can cross the blood-brain barrier, and tumor allografts grow rapidly and invasively in new hosts, causing death within 2 weeks. APC-RAS-SNA tumor cells show evidence of a partial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, including disrupted polarity and the ability to migrate through basal lamina, but they still express E-cadherin (shg), although it was not restricted to the apical surface. Tumor cells are also found enveloping the trachea and in the hemolymph, which is similar to how tumors metastasize in mammalian models.
[updated Aug 2019 by FlyBase; FBrf0222196]
SNA and its paralogs have a well-studied role in initiating the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition during early development, but this function can be pathologic if enabled in tumor cells (Barrallo-Gimeno & Nieto 2005 and references therein, FBrf0190271).
Many to many: multiple paralogs and orthologs in both species.
Many to many: multiple paralogs and orthologs in both species.
Many to many: multiple paralogs and orthologs in both species.
Many to many: multiple paralogs and orthologs in both species.
Ortholog of human genes APC and APC2 (2 Drosophila to 2 human). Dmel\Apc shares 25-26% identity and 37% similarity with both human genes; it lacks a microtubule-binding domain found at the C terminus of the human APC gene.
Ortholog of human genes APC and APC2 (2 Drosophila to 2 human). Dmel\Apc2 is significantly shorter than both human genes and the orthologous fly gene, Dmel\Apc. Dmel\Apc2 shares 26-27% identity and 37-38% similarity with both human genes; it lacks a microtubule-binding domain found at the C terminus of the human APC gene.
Highest-ranking ortholog of human SNAI2.