Journal article
The causal link between microsatellite instability and hMRE11 dysfunction in human cancers
Molecular cancer research, Vol.9(11), pp.1443-1448
11/2011
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/112585
PMCID: PMC3219828
PMID: 21849470
Abstract
Maintenance of genomic integrity is essential for cell survival, and genomic instability is a commonly recognized intrinsic property of all cancers. Microsatellite instability (MSI) represents a frequently occurring and easily traceable simple form of sequence variation signified by the contraction or expansion of specific DNA sequences containing short tandem repeats. MSI is frequently detected in tumor cells with DNA mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency. It is commonly conceived that instability at individual microsatellite loci can arise spontaneously in cells independent of MMR status, and different microsatellite loci are generally not affected uniformly by MMR deficiency. It is well recognized that MMR deficiency
per se
is not sufficient to initiate tumorigenesis; rather the biological effects have to be exerted by mutations in genes controlling cell survival, DNA damage response, and apoptosis. Recently, shortening of an intronic hMRE11 poly(T)11 tract has been associated with MMR deficiency, raising the possibility that hMRE11 may be inactivated by defective MMR. However, the molecular nature underlying this association is presently unknown, and review of the current literature suggests that hMRE11 is most likely involved with the MMR pathway in a more complex fashion than just being a MMR target gene. An alternative scenario is proposed to better reconcile the differences among various studies. The potential role of hMRE11 in telomere repeats stability is also discussed.
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Details
- Title
- The causal link between microsatellite instability and hMRE11 dysfunction in human cancers
- Creators
- XILING WUYANG XUWEIHANG CHAICHENGTAO HER
- Publication Details
- Molecular cancer research, Vol.9(11), pp.1443-1448
- Academic Unit
- Molecular Biosciences, School of
- Grant note
- R01 CA101796-04 || CA / National Cancer Institute : NCI
- Identifiers
- 99900547422501842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article