The APC gene product and colorectal carcinogenesis

Abstract

The adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene has been found to be mutated during the development of sporadic colorectal tumours as well as in familial adenomatous polyposis patients (FAP), mutations being somatic or germinal respectively. The gene product is truncated in the carboxyterminal region but the role of the APC protein in tumorigenesis is not well understood. The purpose of this review is to reassess studies on the APC protein in an attempt to understand how the loss of its functions may cause or contribute to the development of carcinomas.