BRIP1, a potential candidate gene in development of non-BRCA1/2 breast cancer

BRIP1 encodes a protein belonging to the RecQ DEAH helicase family. It interacts with BRCA1, and is involved in the repair of DNA damage and tumor suppression. Aberrations in BRIP1 have been mainly associated with the development of breast cancer (BC), ovarian cancer, and type J Fanconi anemia. Based on recent work, we hypothesize that BRIP1 might be the gene involved in the onset of BC in families that do not show BRACA1/2 mutations. This review will focus on the findings supporting this hypothesis, the mechanisms linking BRIP1 to the onset of BC, and the potential clinical relevance of its various inhibitors.