Unmet NeedThe Hippo signaling pathway governs organ size, tissue homeostasis and regeneration, through its control of cellular proliferation, survival and apoptosis. Its dysregulation has been implicated in cancer, fibrosis, and cardiovascular disease. Research tools that improve our understanding of Hippo pathway function in healthy and disease states would provide novel insights into the pathogenesis of cancer and other diseases.
Technology OverviewThe adaptor protein Sav1 (Salvador homolog 1) is a key component of the Hippo pathway. JHU researchers have generated a Sav1 conditional mouse model that can be used to investigate Hippo pathway function with spatial and temporal precision. These genetically engineered mice carry a floxed allele for Sav1, allowing for the conditional inactivation of the Sav1 protein through the use of Cre mouse lines.
Stage of DevelopmentThe inventors have crossed the Sav1
flox mice with
VilCre mice and found that these
VilCre;
Sav1flox/flox mice were an effective mouse model for sessile serrated polyps (SSPs), a premalignant lesion of the colon. Crossing Sav1
flox mice with mouse lines expressing Cre in other tissues can be used to interrogate the function of Hippo pathway in additional physiological and disease contexts.
PublicationsCai, J. et al., Genes Dev. 2010 Nov 1; 24(21):2383-2388.
