20. Look up U.S. Patent 5654155 at www.uspto.gov, which covers use of the BRCA1
ID: 96833 • Letter: 2
Question
20. Look up U.S. Patent 5654155 at www.uspto.gov, which covers use of the BRCA1 gene's DNA sequence. Discuss what the patent covers and whether you think companies should be permitted to patent gene sequences.
21. Do Web research to name a gene, other than BRCA1, that increases risk of developing breast cancer when mutant. What is the process or mechanism that the mutation disrupts?
22. Discuss how alternate splicing can complicate the study of mutations in the BRCA1 gene.
23. Distinguish between a hereditary germline cancer, such as those caused by the BRCA1 mutations, and cancers that result from two somatic mutations in the same gene in the same cell.
24. Explain how mutations in the same gene can cause different types of cancer.
Explanation / Answer
20. Look up U.S. Patent 5654155 at www.uspto.gov, which covers use of the BRCA1 gene's DNA sequence. Discuss what the patent covers and whether you think companies should be permitted to patent gene sequences.
The gene sequences patenting should be allowed because it would help in identifying or diagnosing the gene mediated diseases earlier. In this case since the consensus DNA sequence has for the BRCA1 gene and its polymorphic sites are known, it would be easier, accurate and reliable for genetic testing.
21. Do Web research to name a gene, other than BRCA1, that increases risk of developing breast cancer when mutant. What is the process or mechanism that the mutation disrupts?
The gene taxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) helps in repairing the damaged DNA. When two abnormal copies of this gene are inherited, it causes the disease ataxia-telangiectasia, a rare disease that affects brain development and inheriting one abnormal ATM gene has been linked to an increased rate of breast cancer because the abnormal gene stops the cells from repairing damaged DNA.
22. Discuss how alternate splicing can complicate the study of mutations in the BRCA1 gene.
Alternate splicing of a gene produces more variants. So it is difficult to study the vital cellular functions or mutations in this gene associated with ovary or the breast cannot be studied completely.
23. Distinguish between a hereditary germline cancer, such as those caused by the BRCA1 mutations, and cancers that result from two somatic mutations in the same gene in the same cell.
Hereditary germline mutation in BRCA1 gene predispose individuals to breast cancer in germ cells like the ovaries. Somatic mutations causes mutation in somatic cells.
24. Explain how mutations in the same gene can cause different types of cancer.
A tumor suppressor gene that normally protects the body against cancer can itself cause a variety of cancers depending on the specific mutation that damages it. For example, certain mutations in the PTEN gene cause breast, thyroid and ovary. It is also found mutated in normal body cells leading to prostate, lung and pancreatic cancers.
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