The dangers of transcription.
Transcription is obviously essential, but even a good thing can be dangerous at times. In this issue, Lin et al. (2009) provide evidence that binding of the transcription machinery may predispose genome regions to breakage and translocations that may lead to cancer.
Mathas
Stephan
S
Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125 Berlin, Germany. stephan.mathas@charite.de
Misteli
Tom
T
D053903:DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000378:metabolism; D014178:Translocation, Genetic
D011944:Receptors, Androgen