Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Pedigree Analysis

Pedigree Analysis

Probability Laws

Probability Laws

Non-nuclear Inheritance

Non-nuclear Inheritance

Most DNA resides in the nucleus of a cell. However, some organelles in the cell cytoplasm⁠—such as chloroplasts and mitochondria⁠—also have their own DNA. These organelles replicate their DNA independently of the nuclear DNA of the cell in which they reside. Non-nuclear inheritance describes the inheritance of genes from structures other than the nucleus.

Cancer Prevention

Cancer Prevention

Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...

The Retinoblastoma Gene

The Retinoblastoma Gene

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...

The Retinoblastoma Gene

The Retinoblastoma Gene

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Response-guided neoadjuvant sacituzumab govitecan for localized triple-negative breast cancer: results from the NeoSTAR trial.

Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology·2023

Same author

Implementing multiplexed genotyping of non-small-cell lung cancers into routine clinical practice.

Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology·2011

Same author

Mutant p53 mediates survival of breast cancer cells.

British journal of cancer·2009

Same author

In vitro phosphorylation of BRCA2 by the checkpoint kinase CHEK2.

British journal of cancer·2008

Same author

p63 and p73 in human cancer: defining the network.

Oncogene·2007

Same author

Molecular targeted therapy of lung cancer: EGFR mutations and response to EGFR inhibitors.

Cold Spring Harbor symposia on quantitative biology·2006

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 6, 2026

gDNA Enrichment by a Transposase-based Technology for NGS Analysis of the Whole Sequence of BRCA1, BRCA2, and 9 Genes Involved in DNA Damage Repair

gDNA Enrichment by a Transposase-based Technology for NGS Analysis of the Whole Sequence of BRCA1, BRCA2, and 9 Genes Involved in DNA Damage Repair

Published on: October 6, 2014

Hereditary breast cancer

L W Ellisen¹, D A Haber

¹Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Charlestown, USA.

Annual Review of Medicine

|March 24, 1998

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Genetic predisposition accounts for 5-10% of breast cancer cases. Identifying high-risk genes like BRCA1 and BRCA2 aids in understanding cancer pathogenesis and raises questions about genetic testing.

More Related Videos

In Vivo and Ex Vivo Approaches to Study Ovarian Cancer Metastatic Colonization of Milky Spot Structures in Peritoneal Adipose

In Vivo and Ex Vivo Approaches to Study Ovarian Cancer Metastatic Colonization of Milky Spot Structures in Peritoneal Adipose

Published on: October 14, 2015

Modeling Breast Cancer via an Intraductal Injection of Cre-expressing Adenovirus into the Mouse Mammary Gland

Modeling Breast Cancer via an Intraductal Injection of Cre-expressing Adenovirus into the Mouse Mammary Gland

Published on: June 7, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 6, 2026

gDNA Enrichment by a Transposase-based Technology for NGS Analysis of the Whole Sequence of BRCA1, BRCA2, and 9 Genes Involved in DNA Damage Repair

gDNA Enrichment by a Transposase-based Technology for NGS Analysis of the Whole Sequence of BRCA1, BRCA2, and 9 Genes Involved in DNA Damage Repair

Published on: October 6, 2014

In Vivo and Ex Vivo Approaches to Study Ovarian Cancer Metastatic Colonization of Milky Spot Structures in Peritoneal Adipose

In Vivo and Ex Vivo Approaches to Study Ovarian Cancer Metastatic Colonization of Milky Spot Structures in Peritoneal Adipose

Published on: October 14, 2015

Modeling Breast Cancer via an Intraductal Injection of Cre-expressing Adenovirus into the Mouse Mammary Gland

Modeling Breast Cancer via an Intraductal Injection of Cre-expressing Adenovirus into the Mouse Mammary Gland

Published on: June 7, 2019

Area of Science:

Oncology
Genetics
Molecular Biology

Background:

Genetic factors contribute significantly to breast cancer, particularly early-onset forms.
Several high-risk breast cancer genes, including BRCA1, BRCA2, p53, and PTEN/MMAC1, have been identified.
These identified genes function as tumor suppressors, crucial in cancer development.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the identification of genes associated with hereditary breast cancer.
To discuss the role of these genes in cancer pathogenesis.
To explore the ethical considerations of presymptomatic genetic testing.

Main Methods:

Literature review of recently identified breast cancer susceptibility genes.
Analysis of the functional roles of identified genes as tumor suppressors.
Discussion of population carrier frequencies for specific mutations.

Main Results:

Genes such as BRCA1, BRCA2, p53, and PTEN/MMAC1 are linked to increased breast cancer risk.
While mutation frequencies are low in the general population, certain groups show up to 1% carrier rates for BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations.
The study of these genes offers insights into the mechanisms of human cancer development.

Conclusions:

The identification of hereditary breast cancer genes is advancing our understanding of cancer biology.
Clinical application, including presymptomatic testing, presents complex ethical challenges for patients and healthcare providers.
Further research into gene function and mutation impact is warranted.