title: Double-strand breaks and tumorigenesis.
abstract: The establishment of connections between biochemical defects and clinical disease is a major goal of modern molecular genetics. In this review, we examine the current literature that relates defects in the two major DNA double-strand-break repair pathways--homologous recombination and nonhomologous end-joining--with the development of human tumors. Although definitive proof has yet to be obtained, the current literature is highly suggestive of such a link.
authors.affiliation: Cell Biology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Pierce
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Stark
authors.forename: F D
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Araujo
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Moynahan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berwick
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jasin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D025063:Chromosome Disorders / Q000235:genetics; D004249:DNA Damage; D004260:DNA Repair; D019398:Genes, BRCA1; D024522:Genes, BRCA2; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010641:Phenotype; D011995:Recombination, Genetic