Genes Involved in DNA Double-Strand Break Repair: Implications for Breast Cancer

摘要

Significance of double-strand breaks DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) may be the most disruptive form of DNA damage. If left unrepaired, they lead to broken chromosomes and cell death. If repaired improperly, they can lead to chromosome translocations and cancer. Humans are at risk for DSB 5 from exogenous agents. The paradigm agent, ionizing radiation (IR), is present in the environment from the decay of radon and radon daughters, which accumulate to high levels in homes built on land reclaimed from mining, leading to increased cancer risk. Ionizing radiation can cause cancers in many tissues, with breast tissue being particularly sensitive (6, 12). Mice exposed to IR show a dose- dependent increase in breast cancer (59). Women exposed by the atomic bombs detonated over Hiroshima and Nagasaki (42) or treated with radiation for post partum mastitis (51) had increased risks for breast cancer.