SPARC and SPARC cluster genes in tumourigenesis.

许多癌症的表达谱显示了一个共同的特征，包括SPARC和其他细胞外基质蛋白(SPARC簇)的上调，这与预后不良有关。这一特征类似于被寄生虫利什曼原虫感染后的伤口愈合基因表达谱。此外，对小鼠伤口愈合反应差异重要的基因组区域已经被定义，这些区域可能定义对调节SPARC簇基因表达重要的新基因。然而，这些区域包含数以千计的基因，因此，为了定义关键基因，其他方法是必要的。基因可操作的动物模型--果蝇(醋蝇)是检测SPARC相互作用基因的理想系统，这应该有助于定义调控SPARC簇基因的关键基因。这些触发SPARC簇基因表达的调节因子可能定义新的致癌基因。

Expression profiling of many cancers has revealed a common signature, including upregulation of SPARC and other extracellular matrix proteins (the SPARC cluster), which correlates with poor prognosis. This signature is similar to the wound healing gene expression profile after infection by the parasite, Leishmania. Moreover, genomic regions important for differences in the wound healing response in mice have been defined that may define novel genes important for regulating SPARC cluster gene expression. However, these regions contain 1000s of genes , and thus to define the critical genes other approaches are neccesary. The genetically manipulable animal model, Drosophila (vinegar fly), represents a ideal system to detect SPARC interacting genes that should help define the critical genes that regulate SPARC cluster genes. These regulators that trigger SPARC cluster gene expression are likely to define novel cancer causing genes.