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Perspectives

BRCA2 Function and the Central Nervous System

Pierre-Olivier Frappart and Peter J. McKinnon

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Defective responses to DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) in the nervous system can lead to neurodegeneration or tumorigenesis. A key player in the repair of DNA DSBs is the tumor suppressor BRCA2, an essential component of the homologous recombination repair pathway and the Fanconi Anemia complex. We recently demonstrated that BRCA2 was required for normal neurogenesis and prevention of medulloblastoma brain tumors. Here, we discuss how this study contributes both to our understanding of BRCA2 functions in vivo, and the tissue-specific requirements for DNA repair and damage-signaling pathways.

Authors

Pierre-Olivier Frappart

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; Memphis, TN

Peter J. McKinnon

St Jude Children's Research Hospital; Memphis, TN

Purchase article for $19

Subscribe to this journal for $129/year