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Identifying the Effects of BRCA1 Mutations on Homologous Recombination using Cells that Express Endogenous Wild-type BRCA1
Published on: February 17, 2011
Immunohistochemical analysis of BRCA2 expression in normal human buccal cells
T J Byrne1, G M Cohn, M A Lane
1Department of Plant & Soil Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA.
Oncology Reports
|August 19, 2000
Summary
Normal human buccal cells express BRCA2 protein, similar to BRCA1. This finding suggests buccal cells are a viable model for studying normal BRCA gene function in future research.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The BRCA1 gene's protein expression in human buccal cells was previously established.
- Understanding the expression of related genes like BRCA2 in accessible cell types is crucial for biological research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To confirm the expression of BRCA2 protein in normal human buccal cells.
- To assess the suitability of buccal cells as a model for investigating normal BRCA gene function.
Main Methods:
- Detection of BRCA2 messenger RNA using sequential primer sets.
- Immunohistochemical analysis of pooled buccal cell samples from healthy donors using two distinct antibodies (I17 and C15).
- Evaluation of immunoreactivity within both cytoplasmic and nuclear cellular compartments.
Main Results:
- BRCA2 protein expression was confirmed in normal human buccal cells.
- Messenger RNA for BRCA2 was successfully detected.
- Strong immunoreactivity was observed with both I17 and C15 antibodies.
- The protein was localized to both cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments within the cells.
Conclusions:
- Normal human buccal cells express BRCA2 protein.
- Buccal cells represent a suitable and accessible model system for further research into the normal functions of BRCA genes.
