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BRCA 1, a ‘complex’ protein involved in the maintenance of genomic stability
Author(s) -
Savage Kienan I.,
Harkin D. Paul
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the febs journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.981
H-Index - 204
eISSN - 1742-4658
pISSN - 1742-464X
DOI - 10.1111/febs.13150
Subject(s) - genome instability , biology , dna repair , genomic dna , gene , rna splicing , cancer research , brca2 protein , dna damage , ovarian cancer , genetics , alternative splicing , microbiology and biotechnology , mutation , dna , cancer , messenger rna , germline mutation , rna
BRCA1 is a major breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility gene, with mutations in this gene predisposing women to a very high risk of developing breast and ovarian tumours. BRCA1 primarily functions to maintain genomic stability via critical roles in DNA repair, cell cycle checkpoint control, transcriptional regulation, apoptosis and mRNA splicing. As a result, BRCA1 mutations often result in defective DNA repair, genomic instability and sensitivity to DNA damaging agents. BRCA1 carries out these different functions through its ability to interact, and form complexes with, a vast array of proteins involved in multiple cellular processes, all of which are considered to contribute to its function as a tumour suppressor. This review discusses and highlights recent research into the functions of BRCA1‐related protein complexes and their roles in maintaining genomic stability and tumour suppression.