Essay about BRCA 1 GENE

BRCA 1 GENE
1. What is the official name of the gene you were assigned? The official name of this gene is “breast cancer 1, early onset.” BRCA1 is the gene's official symbol.

2. Describe the “normal” function of the gene. The BRCA1 gene belongs to a class of genes known as tumor suppressor genes. Like many other tumor suppressors, the protein produced from the BRCA1 gene helps prevent cells from growing and dividing too rapidly or in an uncontrolled way. The BRCA1 gene provides instructions for making a protein that is directly involved in repairing damaged DNA. In the nucleus of many types of normal cells, the BRCA1 protein interacts with several other proteins, including the proteins produced from the RAD51 and BARD1 genes, to mend breaks in DNA. These breaks can be caused by natural and medical radiation or other environmental exposures, and also occur when chromosomes exchange genetic material in preparation for cell division. By helping repair DNA, BRCA1 plays a role in maintaining the stability of a cell's genetic information. Research suggests that the BRCA1 protein also regulates the activity of other genes and plays a critical role in embryonic development. To carry out these functions, the BRCA1 protein interacts with many other proteins, including other tumor suppressors and proteins that regulate cell division.

3. How are the changes (Mutations) in the gene related to health conditions? Breast cancer - increased risk from variations of the BRCA1 gene. Researchers have identified more than 1,000 mutations in the BRCA1 gene, many of which are associated with an increased risk of cancer (particularly breast cancer in women). Most of these mutations lead to the production of an abnormally short version of the BRCA1 protein, or prevent any protein from being made from one copy of the gene. Other BRCA1 mutations change single protein building blocks (amino acids) in the protein or delete large segments of DNA from the BRCA1 gene. Researchers believe that a defective or missing BRCA1 protein is unable to help repair damaged DNA or fix mutations that occur in other genes. As these defects accumulate, they can allow cells to grow and divide uncontrollably and form a tumor. Other cancers - increased risk from variations of the BRCA1 gene. In addition to female breast cancer, mutations in the BRCA1 gene also increase the risk of several other types of cancer including fallopian tube cancer, male breast cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Many of these mutations change one of the amino acids used to make the BRCA1 protein, resulting in a protein that cannot perform its normal DNA repair function.

4. In which Chromosome is the Gene located? Is the Gene located in the “long” or the “short” arm of the Chromosomes? It is located in the Long arm of the Chromosomes.

5. How many “base” pairs long is the gene? Identify the base pairs. Cytogenetic Location: 17q21. Molecular Location on chromosome 17: base pairs 43,044,294 to 43,125,482

The BRCA1 gene is located on the long (q) arm of chromosome 17 at position 21.
More precisely, the BRCA1 gene is located from base pair 43,044,294 to base pair 43,125,482 on chromosome 17.

6. Is the gene autosomal or sex linked? Define autosomal and sex linked. Is the gene dominant or recessive? What do these two terms mean?
BRCA 1 is an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance (transmission through either the mother or father’s side of the family). Autosomal dominant is one of several ways that a trait or disorder can be passed down (inherited) through families. In an autosomal dominant disease, if you inherit the abnormal gene from only one parent, you can get the disease. Sex-linked dominant is a rare way that a trait or disorder can be passed down through families. One abnormal gene on the X chromosome can cause a sex-linked dominant disease. Autosomal recessive is one of several ways that a trait, disorder, or disease can be passed down through families. An autosomal recessive disorder means

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