Felaktig alternativ splicing: Vissa mutationer i BRCA1, BRCA2, ERα och ERβ är starkt förknippade med bröstcancer

Sammanfattning: Alternative splicing is a process that partly rejects the common definition of a gene – that one gene codes for one specific protein. By variable combination of coding regions (exons) and exclusion of non-coding regions (introns), formation of several different mRNA-transcripts, and consequently several different proteins, can derive from the same gene. Alternative splicing is an important condition for the development of complex life forms, but it is also a highly sensitive process and inaccurate splicing is the cause of approximately 15 % of mutations that cause genetic diseases. This article presents four genes, BRCA1, BRCA2, ERα and ERβ, and inaccurate splicing of these genes increases the risk of developing cancer, particularly breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Breast cancer is the second most common form of lethal cancer among women. After identifying the cancerogenic mutations, women of high-risk families can undergo genetic testing and preventive therapy can reduce the morbidity and mortality. The article also presents a short discussion around the ethical problems of genetic testing, and the social and psychological dilemmas women of high-risk families are facing when they are given the option to undergo genetic testing.