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Short CDP/Cux isoforms were found to be overexpressed in breast cancer cell lines, in human breast tumors and in uterine leiomyomas, suggesting that these proteins play a key role in tumor development and progression. My project consists in analyzing the effect of these CDP/Cux isoforms on mammary gland development and tumorigenesis. Also, I will work on the identification of targets of CDP/Cux that mediate its oncogenic properties. So far, I have shown that overexpressing short CDP/Cux isoforms lead to abnormal development of the mammary gland. Furthermore, overexpressing p75, p110 or p200 CDP/Cux leads to the development of mammary gland tumors in mice. These tumors seem to be of basal origin, suggesting that CDP/Cux promotes tumorigenesis in a precursor cell. Breast tumor patients with similar types of disease have very low chances of survival, since no specific treatment is currently available for them. Thus, my research project will enable us to gain a better understanding of the biological functions of each CDP/Cux isoform in mammary gland development and tumorigenesis, which could possibly lead to new therapeutic targets for the treatment of basal breast cancers.