Molecular analysis of the h-warts/LATS1 gene in human breast cancer

Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosome bq is often observed in breast c ancer, suggesting the existence of a putative tumor suppressor. Recently, a human homolog of the Drosophila warts tumor suppressor gene, h-warts/LATS1 , was identified and mapped at chromosome 6q24-25.1. Mutation analysis of t he h-warts/LATS1 was performed using 25 breast cancer tissues by RT-PCR SSC P analysis. Although LOH of the h-warts/LATS1 was found in one patient, no mutations were found. Two polymorphisms were found, but neither of them cau sed amino acid substitutions. Further investigations ale necessary to eluci date the role of the h-warts/LATS1 gene in the carcinogenesis of breast can cer.