BRCA1 in breast and ovarian cancer predisposition.
Women carrying one mutated BRCA1 allele are at increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer but tumor initiation requires the loss of the wild-type allele indicating that it is a tumor suppressor gene. In the 10 years since the cloning of BRCA1, a function for the gene product in the DNA damage response has been established. However, identifying the exact biochemical activities of BRCA1 has been a more difficult task. Our current understanding suggests that the molecular functions mediated by the terminal ends of BRCA1, which include an E3 ubiquitin ligase activity at the N-terminus and a protein-protein interaction surface at the C-terminus, are critical to the function of this protein in the response to DNA damage.
Billack
Blase
B
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, St John's University, Jamaica, NY 11439, USA.
Monteiro
Alvaro N A
AN
D019313:BRCA1 Protein / Q000737:chemistry; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D004249:DNA Damage; D005260:Female; D019398:Genes, BRCA1 / Q000502:physiology*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D025801:Ubiquitin / Q000378:metabolism
D019313:BRCA1 Protein; D025801:Ubiquitin