WILMS-TUMOR - A CASE OF DISRUPTED DEVELOPMENT

Wilms' tumour is a paediatric kidney malignancy that arises through ab errant differentiation of nephric stem cells. We are studying the role of one Wilms' tumour predisposition gene, WT1. This is a tumour suppr essor gene whose function is required for normal development of the ge nitourinary system. WT1 encodes a putative transcriptional repressor o f the zinc finger family. Here we discuss how one of the normal functi ons of WT1 may be to suppress myogenesis during kidney development. Fu rthermore, we describe how we are proposing to use YAC (yeast artifici al chromosome) transgenesis to analyse WT1 regulation and function in mice. We also discuss the evolution of the WT1 gene amongst different vertebrate classes and how this may provide insights into genitourinar y evolution.