Interactions Among BRCA1, BRCA2, and Components of the Recombination Machinery
Abstract
A large fraction of familial breast cancers arise from mutations in two suppressors of breast tumors, BRCA1 and BRCA2, but no molecular information is as yet available to pinpoint the underlying basis for the breast tumor suppressor functions of these two factors. Importantly, recent studies have indicated that BRCA1 and BRCA2 are associated with proteins indispensable for homologous recombination and the recombinational repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), thus implicating these two tumor suppressors in modulating the activities of the recombination machinery. For dissecting the biochemical roles of BRCA1 and BRCA2 in recombination and repair, it will be important to first define the mechanistic underpinnings of the recombination machinery. For this purpose, we have been carrying out detailed biochemical analyzes of the Rad5O/Mre11/NBS1 complex known to be required for the processing of DNA ends during recombination and DSB repair, and have established in vitro systems for examining the homologous DNA pairing and strand exchange activities of Rad51 recombinase germane for the formation of DNA joints during recombination processes. Further studies will examine the functional and physical interactions among BRCA1, BRCA2, the Rad5O/Mre11/NBS1 complex, and the Rad51 recombinase.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA389960
Entities
People
- Patrick M. Sung
Organizations
- University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio