Scientist at the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology uncover how an important cancer gene, BRCA 1, works by increasing the accuracy with which broken DNA is repaired. The BRCA 1 gene interacts with a protein called CtIP direct DNA breaks to be repaired using another identical piece of DNA as template. Correct genetic sequence will then be restored without mistake, thereby reducing the chance of introducing harmful mutations.
Cancer is caused by alteration in the sequence of DNA. These mutations frequently arise when DNA becomes damaged, for example, through the generation of DNA breaks. Sometimes this damage is repaired accurately to restore the original DNA sequence and other times it is repaired inaccurately to produce a mutation. BRCA1 and CtIP jointly act on broken ends to enable the reconstitution of one strand of a DNA helix to generate a region of single-stranded DNA. The generation of this single stranded DNA tail, which becomes the template for repair, is a critical step in the initiation of accurate DNA repair.
The levels of accurate DNA repair are believed to increase by promoting the interaction of BRCA 1 with CtIP. Thus, it will reduce the frequency of cancer causing mutations.
Anonymous, n.d.A Cancer Gene Switch For Repairing Damaged DNA. Medical Research Council.viewed 28 May 2009. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/151422.php
