Satellite RNAs, Heterochromatin and Cancer: A Novel Mechanism of Induction of Breast Cancer by Loss of BRCA1?

Add to your list(s) Download to your calendar using vCal

• Professor Inder Verma, Salk Institute, San Diego, USA
• Monday 26 June 2017, 15:00-16:00
• Clifford Albutt Lecture theatre, Clinical School.

If you have a question about this talk, please contact Mala Jayasundera.

Host: Professor Ashok Venkitaraman

Abstract:

Heterochromatic repetitive satellite RNAs are extensively transcribed in a variety of human cancers, including BRCA1 -mutant breast cancer. Aberrant expression of satellite RNAs in cultured cells induces the DNA damage response, activates cell cycle checkpoints, and causes defects in chromosome segregation. However, the mechanism by which satellite RNA expression leads to genomic instability is not well understood. We have demonstrated that increased levels of satellite RNAs in mammary glands induce tumor formation in mice. Using mass spectrometry, one can further show that genomic instability induced by satellite RNAs occurs through interactions with BRCA1 -associated protein networks required for the stabilization of DNA replication forks. Additionally, formation of RNA -DNA hybrid contributes to DNA replication defects in cells expressing satellite RNAs. These studies lay the foundation for developing novel therapeutic strategies that block the effects of non-coding satellite RNAs in cancer cells.

This talk is part of the Cambridge Oncology Seminar Series series.

This talk is included in these lists:

• All Talks (aka the CURE list)
• Biology
• CCC talks for website
• CRUK CI Seminars
• Cambridge Oncology Seminar Series
• Clifford Albutt Lecture theatre, Clinical School
• Life Sciences
• Life Sciences
• ME Seminar
• MRC Cancer Unit Seminars
• PMRFPS's
• cancer
• cri
• my_list
• other talks
• se393's list
• sfm36

Note that ex-directory lists are not shown.