Breast Cancer Susceptibility Gene BRCA1

BRCA1 and BRCA2 Genes and Breast Cancer

BRCA1, as well as BRCA2, are in every human body (Jovanovic et al., 2010). These genes are the cause of most inherited cases of breast cancer. On the other hand, the presence of the genes does not guarantee breast cancer even if one has them. There are other reasons for breast cancer diagnosis, for instance, other mutations in pieces of chromosomes referred to as Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs). Women with a BRCA1 mutation and those that did not inherit the gene mutation of breast cancer may be diagnosed with breast cancer through the SNPs mutation (Jazaeri et al., 2010). Additionally, the risk of breast cancer development is affected by the many environmental as well as cultural similarities families share. Tumor suppressor proteins are produced by the human genes of BRCA1 as well as BRCA2. This is the reason why individuals have a decreased expression of these genes in the tumor compared to normal cells.

Identifying Genes and Epigenetic Mechanisms

To identify genes that can lead to cancer, a representational difference analysis involving cDNA is carried out to compare expressed genes in cancerous cells as well as non-cancerous cells. Epigenetic refers to a cellular phenotype’s stable molecular alterations, for instance, a cell’s gene expression profile that is heritable in the course of somatic cell divisions although DNA sequence changes are not involved. As a result, through changes in gene expression, epigenetic mechanisms can permit an organism to respond to the environment. Doctors use gene sequencing to gather some information about gene expression.

Methods for Studying Gene Expression

There are various methods to study gene expression, for instance, microarray technology. This method studies differential gene expression by the use of complex RNA populations. Other methods include multigene testing. This method uses the sequencing of the most generations to find harmful gene mutations. When predicting if a tumor is cancerous, breast tumors are divided into hormone receptor status as well as candidate genes. I would do BRCA1 tests since the tests are accurate and can reveal information about one’s family. On the other hand, an individual can get a sense of relief concerning cancer's future. In some cases, it is easy for an individual to know that there is no chance of inheriting the cancer susceptibility of the family. On the other hand, genetic testing has some harms although they are minimal. For instance, tests can harm one’s emotions as well as social relationships and so on.

References

Jazaeri, A. A., Yee, C. J., Sotiriou, C., Brantley, K. R., Boyd, J., & Liu, E. T. (2002). Gene    expression profiles of BRCA1-linked, BRCA2-linked, and sporadic ovarian             cancers. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 94(13), 990-1000.

Jovanovic, J., Rønneberg, J. A., Tost, J., & Kristensen, V. (2010). The epigenetics of breast cancer. Molecular oncology, 4(3), 242-254.