Mice Capades

Mutational activation of the oncogene BRAF is the most common genetic alteration in human melanoma. Although this has been known for nearly 10 years, only now have investigators been able to build a mouse model of BRAF oncogenesis using a specifically designed mutation (Braf^V600E). The genetic profile in these mice replicates the human melanoma profile, providing a new and faithful model of melanoma formation.

When the Braf^V600E mutation was specifically activated in melanocytes, the mice developed benign melanocytic hyperplasias that did not progress to melanoma over 20 months. However, when expression of Braf^V600E was combined with silencing of the tumor suppressor Pten, the mice developed a melanoma with 100% penetrance and short latency …