Cohesin dysfunction: potential new route to tumourigenesis

本研究旨在研究一种新发现的染色体和DNA修复蛋白Rad21在乳腺癌中的作用。Rad21是一个存在于许多物种中的基因，对染色体的准确分离至关重要。基于它在不同物种中的已知功能，可以想象它的功能障碍可能通过促进遗传不稳定来加速癌症的进展。染色体的增加或减少，通常与人类癌症有关。目前还没有明确的数据表明该基因在癌症发展中的潜在作用。因此，这项研究是对了解这种潜在致癌基因功能的第一次系统调查。虽然这项研究的重点是乳腺癌，但原则上，它也适用于其他类型的癌症，因为它最近被观察到过度活跃。这项研究也可能对人类对癌症治疗的放射和化学疗法的反应产生影响

This proposal aims to investigate the role of a newly-discovered chromosomal and DNA repair protein, Rad21, in breast cancer. Rad21 is a gene, present in many species and essential for accurate chromosome separation. Based on its' known function in different species, it is conceivable that its' dysfunction could fuel cancer progression by promoting genetic instability, eg. gains or losses of chromosomes, commonly associated with human cancers. No definitive data currently exists as regards the potential role of this gene in cancer development. This study is thus the first systematic investigation towards understanding the function of this potential cancer-causing gene. Although the proposed study focuses on breast cancers, it could, in principle, apply to other cancer types in which its' overactivity has recently be oberserved. This study could also have implications for the response of humans to radio- and chemo-therapy for cancer treatment