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BRCA1 down‐regulates cellular levels of reactive oxygen species
Author(s) -
Saha Tapas,
Rih Jeong Keun,
Rosen Eliot M.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/j.febslet.2009.04.005
Subject(s) - reactive oxygen species , oxidative stress , intracellular , microbiology and biotechnology , flow cytometry , dna damage , chemistry , antioxidant , oxidative phosphorylation , biochemistry , biology , dna
Previous studies have shown that the breast cancer suppressor BRCA1 stimulates antioxidant gene expression and protects cells against oxidative stress. To further examine this important function, we tested whether BRCA1 could modulate intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Wild‐type BRCA1 (but not a cancer‐associated mutant) significantly reduced ROS levels, determined by DCF fluorescence assays by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. The BRCA1 and REF1 pathways for reduction of ROS levels appear to exhibit cross‐talk. BRCA1 also reduced the levels of protein nitration and H 2 O 2 ‐induced oxidative damage to DNA. Thus, BRCA1 may protect cellular macromolecules by reducing intracellular ROS levels.