Question

n addition to being associated with breast cancer, the BRCA1 mutation has also been associated with prostate cancer. The normal function of BRCA1 is to assist in the repair of double-stranded DNA breaks. Individuals inheriting a non-functioning BRCA1 gene are predisposed towards a higher risk of cancer.

Based on its function, what type of gene associated with cancer would BRCA1 be categorized as?

Answer 1

The presence of BRCA1 in its functional form aids in the repair of the double stranded breaks of the DNA and thus does not allow any mutation to arise in those regions of the DNA. Mutations in DNA can lead to cancer and as BRCA 1 prevents such mutations in its functional form, it can be classified as a tumor suppressor gene.

Nonfunctional BRCA1 cannot help in repairing the DNA and thus mutations are incurred in many surrounding regions which can lead to cancer.

BRCA1 in its normal form repairs the breaks in the DNA perfectly and no mutations are incurred, thus preventing tumor formation and consequent cancer. So BRCA1 can be classified as a tumor suppressor gene.