Induction of medulloblastomas in p53-null mutant mice by somatic inactivation of Rb in the external granular layer cells of the cerebellum

A mouse model has been generated for medulloblastoma, one of the most common types of malignancies in children. Cre-LoxP-mediated inactivation of Rb and p53 tumor suppressor genes was carried out in the external granular layer (EGL) cells of the cerebellum. Loss of function of RB seems to be essential for medulloblastoma development in the mouse. It is hypothesized that medulloblastomas come from multipotent precursor cells in the EGL.