A reason why the ERBB2 gene is amplified and not mutated in breast cancer
2009
Understanding ERBB2 Gene Amplification in Breast Cancer
publication
Author Information
Author(s): Daniel Birnbaum, Fabrice Sircoulomb, Jean Imbert
Primary Institution: Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, UMR891 Inserm and Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France
Hypothesis
ERBB2 gene amplification is used to overcome repression of its expression by sequence-specific transcription factors.
Conclusion
The study suggests that ERBB2 amplification may help bypass transcriptional repression, leading to increased expression of the ERBB2 protein in breast cancer.
Supporting Evidence
- ERBB2 is amplified in about 20% of breast cancers.
- At least six transcription factors have been identified that repress ERBB2 expression.
- Amplification of ERBB2 may help overcome the repression caused by these transcription factors.
Takeaway
The ERBB2 gene is often amplified in breast cancer, which helps it grow by getting around the normal controls that keep it from being too active.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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