Mammary Tissue (IMAGE) Princeton University Caption A team led by researchers at Princeton University has found that a gene known as Metadherin, or MTDH, promotes the survival of tumor-initiating cells via the interaction with a second molecule called SND1. Mammary tissue was taken from mice (stained red for visualization) that were genetically engineered to develop breast cancer in the presence (left) or absence (right) of MTDH. The dark-pink, cloud-like structures indicate the initiation of mammary tumors, which were largely suppressed by loss of the MTDH gene. Credit Image courtesy of Yibin Kang, Department of Molecular Biology Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.