Caretaker Brca1: keeping the genome in the straight and narrow.
Inheritance of germline BRCA1 mutations is associated with a high risk of breast and ovarian cancers. A multitude of cellular functions has been ascribed to BRCA1, including transcription activation and various aspects of DNA repair. So far, indirect evidence has indicated a role for BRCA1 in the repair of double-strand breaks. Recently, an elegant gene targeting design was used to provide definitive evidence that BRCA1 promotes homologous recombination and limits nonhomologous mutagenic repair processes. This reaffirms the role of BRCA1 as caretaker in preserving genomic integrity.
Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Wellcome Trust/MRC Building, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2XY, UK.
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D019313:BRCA1 Protein / Q000235:genetics*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D002460:Cell Line; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000235:genetics; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000235:genetics; D004260:DNA Repair / Q000235:genetics; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D051135:Rad51 Recombinase; D011938:Rec A Recombinases / Q000235:genetics; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D016160:Retinoblastoma Protein / Q000235:genetics; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D014162:Transfection
D019313:BRCA1 Protein; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D016160:Retinoblastoma Protein; C495153:RAD51 protein, human; D051135:Rad51 Recombinase; D011938:Rec A Recombinases