BRCA1 and stem cells: tumour typecasting.
Phenotypic variation between tumour types is likely to reflect the nature of the cell of origin and the genes involved in pathogenesis. Compared with most sporadic breast cancers, those arising in carriers of BRCA1 mutations usually have distinctive pathological characteristics. A new study suggests that a role for BRCA1 in the determination of stem-cell fate may explain this phenomenon.
Smalley
Matthew J
MJ
Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Research, Fulham Road, London, SW3 6JB, UK. Matthew.Smalley@icr.ac.uk
Reis-Filho
Jorge S
JS
Ashworth
Alan
A
D000818:Animals; D019313:BRCA1 Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D019070:Cell Lineage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D042361:Mammary Glands, Human / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D010641:Phenotype; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*
D019313:BRCA1 Protein