(CTN News) – The gene BRCA2 is shown in recorded observations to repair DNA damage caused by the BRCA1 gene.
A better understanding of the molecular etiology of breast and ovarian cancer development would benefit greatly from elucidating the function of BRCA2.
The finding that is involved in DNA repair and mutations gives researchers a better understanding of the risk of cancer.
It may be possible to gain a better understanding of breast and ovarian cancers by understanding how the gene BRCA2 repairs DNA, according to a new study.
The DNA of our cells is constantly under attack due to both internal processes, as well as external factors, such as sunlight or chemical exposure, that cause damage to it.
A build-up of damage to DNA can cause cells to become cancerous when it accumulates over a long period of time.
It is fortunate that our cells are able to repair DNA in a variety of ways, one of which is to repair double-stranded breaks through homologous recombination.
As a result of a break in the DNA double helix, it is necessary to trim the one strand a little bit back to leave a single exposed strand when a break crosses both strands.
Then, this strand goes on a hunt for its counterpart in the same gene in the matching paired chromosome on the opposite end of the chromosome.
It uses the healthy DNA that is present in the body as a template for repairing the damaged DNA. A single strand of DNA needs to be coated with RAD5 in order for this insertion to be successful.
In this case, BRCA2 plays an important role. The UC Davis team discovered that acts as a molecular chaperone, delivering RAD5 to single-stranded DNA at the molecular level.
BRCA2 loads up with RAD51s (each BRCA2 can carry up to six RAD51s) and pushes another protein called RPA out of the way to place the proteins on DNA.
As he manipulated pieces of DNA with a single-stranded gap, postdoctoral researcher Jason Bell recorded proteins and molecules as he exposed them to RAD51 with and without BRCA2. By displacing RPA from single-stranded DNA, BRCA2 chaperones RAD51 onto it.
It is important to understand BRCA2’s role in DNA repair for two reasons. In the first place, it explains why mutations of BRCA2 are associated with an increased risk of cancer.
In addition, some cancer drugs cause DNA damage. Understanding DNA repair can help us develop drugs that target it specifically in cancer cells.
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