In conclusion, the Bcat mice provide a model that mimics some of the critical aspects of sporadic CRC induction in humans in terms of tumor multiplicity, tumor latency and tumor site specificity, and coincides with upregulation of the earliest markers for emerging CRC in humans, including Tenascin-C, MMP-7, osteopontin and COX2. The gene discussed is MMP7; the disease is colorectal carcinoma.