WT-1 (Wilms Tumor 1)

Term: WT-1 (Wilms Tumor 1)Definition: A gene that encodes a transcription factor involved in the regulation of cell growth and differentiation, often implicated in various cancers, including mesothelioma associated with asbestos exposure.Phonetic Pronunciation: (DUB-EL-TEE WUN)Origin: The WT-1 gene is named after Wilms tumor, a type of kidney cancer first described by Max Wilms in 1899. The gene was discovered and named in the late 20th century as research into genetic factors of cancer progressed. The term 'Wilms' derives from the German pathologist who identified the tumor.Significance in Asbestos Context: WT-1 is significant in asbestos-related cases because its expression is often altered in mesothelioma, a cancer strongly linked to asbestos exposure. Testing for WT-1 can aid in the diagnosis of mesothelioma and may be used in legal contexts to establish a causal link between asbestos exposure and the disease.Example Sentence: The presence of WT-1 gene mutations was used as evidence in the lawsuit to demonstrate that the plaintiff's mesothelioma was a result of asbestos exposure at the defendant's factory.Related Terms: Mesothelioma, Asbestos, Gene Mutation, Transcription Factor, OncogeneNotes: - WT-1 can also be involved in other cancers not related to asbestos. - The presence of WT-1 alone is not definitive proof of asbestos exposure but is a significant indicator in the context of other evidence.