It is becoming gradually evident that the dysregulated cell proliferation and differentiation in neoplasia are associated with aberrant functions of specific genes in the genome. Genes and their cellular functions involved in cell proliferation and differentiation are highly conserved among different species. Therefore, the illustration of evolutionary relationships among gene products in different species can provide structural and functional insights, leading to neoplastic studies in lower animals that can help to understand the mechanisms of neoplastic development in vertebrates including humans. This review introduces the possibility that studies with lethal giant larvae (lgl) tumor suppressor family members can provide a better understanding of their functional roles during tumor development in eukaryotic cells.

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