Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026

Identifying the Effects of BRCA1 Mutations on Homologous Recombination using Cells that Express Endogenous Wild-type BRCA1
Published on: February 17, 2011
RAD51 polymorphisms and breast cancer risk
Mojgan Hosseini1, Massoud Houshmand, Ahmad Ebrahimi
1Department of Science, Islamshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sayad Shirazi St., Islamshahr, Tehran, Iran. mojgan-Hosseini@iiau.ac.ir
This study investigated the RAD51 G/C polymorphism in Iranian breast cancer patients. The RAD51 GG genotype was identified as a significant risk factor, highlighting its association with increased breast cancer risk.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Breast cancer (BC) is a leading cause of mortality in women globally and ranks second in Iran.
- Genetic predispositions, including specific gene polymorphisms, play a crucial role in breast cancer development.
- The RAD51 gene is involved in DNA repair, making its polymorphisms potential risk factors for cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of the RAD51 G/C polymorphism in Iranian breast cancer patients.
- To evaluate the association between RAD51 G/C polymorphism and breast cancer risk in a sporadic Iranian population.
- To identify specific genotypes that may confer a higher risk of developing breast cancer.
Main Methods:
- A population-based case-control study was conducted with 294 breast cancer cases and 315 controls from Iran.
- Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay was used to analyze RAD51 G/C polymorphisms.
- Statistical analyses, including odds ratios and confidence intervals, were performed to assess risk association.
Main Results:
- The homozygote genotype RAD51 GG showed the highest frequency in both patient (33.3%) and control (41.4%) groups.
- The RAD51 GG genotype was found to be a significant risk factor (odds ratio, 2.276; p = 0.001).
- A significant association between breast cancer risk and RAD51 GG and CC polymorphisms was observed.
Conclusions:
- The RAD51 G/C polymorphism, particularly the GG genotype, is significantly associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in the studied Iranian population.
- These findings suggest that RAD51 G/C polymorphism could serve as a potential biomarker for breast cancer risk assessment.
- Further research is warranted to explore the functional implications of these polymorphisms in breast cancer pathogenesis.
Related Concept Videos
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase
Pharmacogenetic Phenotypes: Alterations in Pharmacokinetics, Drug Targets and Biologic Milieu
Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
Cancer Prevention
Some...
Mismatch Repair
The Mutator Protein Family Plays a Key Role in DNA Mismatch Repair
The human genome has more than 3 billion base pairs of DNA per cell. Prior to cell division, that vast amount of genetic...
Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity
