Does a Mutation in Brca1 Confer Increased Risk for Radiation Induced Mammary Cancer
Abstract
BR CAl was identified due to an increased risk of breast and/or ovarian cancer in females who carry a mutant allele. Recently it has been proposed that BRCAl has a role in DNA damage repair. If this is the case, women with mutations in BR CA, who have only one functional allele, may have increased susceptibility to the effects of DNA damaging agents, such as ionizing radiation. This susceptibility may result in an increased mutation rate after exposure to irradiation. Planning of prevention and treatment strategies for such high risk women must include information about environmental exposures that might increase risk. Mouse models can provide a good system in which to investigate a question such as this. We propose to test for an effect of a Brcal mutation on mammary tumor development in mice with an increased susceptibility to tumor formation. Mice carrying a mutation in the Apc gene are predisposed to mammary tumor development. The number of tumor is increased by exposure to carcinogens or irradiation. We will generate mice carrying mutant alleles at both Brcal and Apc and determine the number and time to tumor after irradiation. If heterozygosity for a mutation in Brcal increases the sensitivity to the effects of irradiation, we expect that the double mutant mice would develop more tumors or more advanced tumors after irradiation than the mice carrying either mutant allele alone.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA394020
Entities
People
- Amy R. Moser
Organizations
- University of Wisconsin–Madison