Mapping of a Breast Carcinoma Tumor Suppressor Gene to Chromosome 11p15. 5

摘要

The BRCAl gene is mutated in approximately 40% of the breast cancers seen in hereditary breast cancer. The function of the BRCAl gene is yet to be determined; however, it is thought to play a role in transcription regulation and/or DNA repair. The BE2 gene product was isolated because it was found to bind the BRCA1 protein. The BE2 gene has been localized to lip15.5, loss of heterozygosity at this locus is seen in approximately 30% of spontaneous breast cancer. It is my content that BE2 is a novel tumor suppressor gene. Functional assays are underway, which will determine if the BE2 cDNA suppresses in vitro and in vivo growth in breast cancer cell lines. The BE2 gene has been sequenced and Dr. Davis will use the sequence information to search for mutations in other breast cancer tissue. Dr. Davis will also characterize the BE2 gene product by assaying gene expression during different phases of the cell cycle. Immunohistochemistry will be used to determine the intra-cellular location of the BE2 gene product. The identification of genetic markers that have prognostic significance is quite important. BE2 may prognostic significance. This information has the potential to augment medical therapy for breast cancer.