ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the uses and interpretations of mouse knockout models of classes of genes whose function is to prevent or suppress the development of cancer. It includes the classic tumor suppressor genes as well as genes involved in DNA repair and tumor progression. Inactivation of the classical tumor suppressor genes may occur by at least two pathways; as an inherited mutant allele where all somatic cells carry the mutation; or by somatically acquired inactivation, either by mutation or viral inactivation. The far more common contribution of the classical tumor suppressor genes is by somatically acquired mutation or viral inactivation. This can involve the exact same genes as in the inherited cases or other genes, many of which have yet to be characterized. Some tumor suppressor genes are unique in that the heterozygotes can develop a phenotype through somatic inactivation of the remaining wild type allele leading to clonal expansion and genetic mosaicism.
