a winding path. Only a handful of breast cancers are linked to BRCA genes, but a common BRCA pathway can bind much more.
a mystery for breast cancer specialists is why genetic mutations that cause cancer when inherited not appear to play a role in those who do not work in families . Now, scientists believe a newly identified protein holds some of the answers. The discovery marks one of the first steps to dissect called BRCA pathway, which could shed light on some cancers.
In the mid 190s, researchers identified two genes that put women at high risk for breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Inheriting the mutated genes, called BRCA1 and BRCA2 , ratchets cancer risk, but the genes have not seemed important in nonheritable cancers. If mutated BRCA genes trigger cancer among women born with them, scientists have wondered, why would they not play a role in breast and ovarian cancer in general?
Cancer biologist Tony Kouzarides Cancer Research UK and oncologists Luke Hughes-Davies and Carlos Caldas of the University of Cambridge have addressed this issue by starting with a small area of BRCA2 . Members of a family afflicted Scandinavian cancer miss this section of the gene, which is one of many mutations that can boost the risk of cancer. The group identified a protein that Kouzarides hung this region and named protein EMSY (after Sister Hughes-Davies, an oncology nurse).
The team found that EMSY somehow affects the function of BRCA2 gene, although the details are not yet clear. When the group of Kouzarides studied hundreds of tumor samples from sporadic cases, they found 1.5 to 4 times the normal levels of EMSY in 13% of breast cancers and 17% of cancers of the ovary aggressive . Almost no amplification EMSY found in other cancer cells they examined, such as those of colon tumors or sarcomas, the group reports in November 26 issue of cell .
EMSY "seems to be the same path" as BRCA2 , and the link is convincing, says Daniel Haber, director of the cancer center at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. But, warns -it, "I do not think EMSY by itself will explain all cases" sporadic breast and ovarian cancer. other genes and proteins, some unrelated BRCA may also be key, he said. Now, scientists just need to find them.
Related Sites
Science News article, "the twists and turns in the path of BRCA"
A non-profit organization for carriers and families
national Alliance of Breast Cancer organizations
Cancer national Alliance ovary
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