Abstract
Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndromes can be caused by loss-of-function germline mutations in one of two tumour-suppressor genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2 (ref. 1). Each gene product interacts with recombination/DNA repair proteins in pathways that participate in preserving intact chromosome structure. However, it is unclear to what extent such functions specifically suppress breast and ovarian cancer. Here we analyse what is known of BRCA gene function and highlight some unanswered questions in the field.
MeSH terms
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BRCA1 Protein / genetics
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BRCA1 Protein / physiology*
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BRCA2 Protein
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Chromatin / physiology
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DNA / biosynthesis
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DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / metabolism
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Female
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Genes, BRCA1
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Genes, Tumor Suppressor
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Humans
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Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
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Neoplasm Proteins / physiology*
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Neoplasms / genetics*
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Ovarian Neoplasms / genetics
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Recombination, Genetic
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S Phase
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Transcription Factors / genetics
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Transcription Factors / physiology*
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Transcription, Genetic
Substances
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BRCA1 Protein
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BRCA2 Protein
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Chromatin
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Neoplasm Proteins
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Transcription Factors
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DNA
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DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase