BRCA1

Who / What

BRCA1 encodes the breast cancer type‑1 susceptibility protein, a caretaker gene that repairs DNA and functions as a tumor suppressor.

It plays a pivotal role in maintaining genomic integrity and preventing the development of breast cancer.

Background & History

* BRCA1 was discovered as a gene influencing breast cancer susceptibility.

* The protein it encodes is conserved across vertebrate species, reflecting its essential biological role.

* It functions primarily as a caretaker gene, repairing DNA damage to suppress tumor formation.

Why Notable

* BRCA1’s function in DNA repair makes it a key guardian against genomic instability.

* Its status as a tumor suppressor gene is critical for preventing cancer initiation.

* Mutations in BRCA1 are strongly associated with heightened breast cancer risk, underpinning its importance in genetic counseling and research.

In the News

The provided data does not include recent news items; however, BRCA1 remains a central focus in breast‑cancer genetics and DNA repair research.

Key Facts

**Type:** gene

**Also known as:** Breast cancer type‑1 susceptibility protein

**Founded / Born:** n/a

**Key dates:** n/a

**Geography:** n/a

**Affiliation:** DNA repair, tumor suppression, cancer genetics

Links

[Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BRCA1)

Sources

• 🔗 Wikipedia

Breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein is a protein that in humans is encoded by the BRCA1 () gene. Orthologs are common in other vertebrate species, whereas invertebrate genomes may encode a more distantly related gene. BRCA1 is a caretaker gene (responsible for repairing DNA), a type of tumor suppressor gene.