When the BRCA1 gene mutation was found by scientists supported by the National CancerInstitute to be hereditary predisposition to breast cancer, it was a major breakthrough; however, for many years, researchers have found themselves puzzled by the BRCA1 gene. Its ability to cause breast and ovarian cancer is clear, as women who genetically possess a deficient copy of BRCA1 also have a 65 percent chance to develop breast cancer and a 39 percent chance to develop ovarian cancer by the age of 70, but the question "why" was left to be answered. Now, researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center, now referred to as UT Health San Antonio, have had a breakthrough. Rong Li, Ph.D., and colleagues have discovered a previously unrecognized function of BRCA1 that may explain the cancer correlation. After 15 years of studying BRCA1, they were able to publicize their findings on June 26 in Nature Communications.
Background on BRCA1
BRCA1 is a member of a class of genes researchers have deemed as "tumor suppressor genes." The function of these genes is to prevent growth of cancerous cells, resulting in BRCA1 having a part in cellular pathways to repair damaged DNA. So, when there is a BRCA1 mutation, these pathways will be more likely to make cells collect DNA damage due to their lessened ability to repair cells. If there is enough damage, this can lead to cancer.
No comments:
Post a Comment