genome instability suppressing gene

Gross chromosomal rearrangements (GCRs) play an important role in human diseases, including cancer. The identity of all Genome Instability Suppressing (GIS) genes is not currently known.

In a study, one hundred eighty two GIS genes were identified that suppressed GCR formation. Another 438 cooperatively acting GIS genes were identified that were not GIS genes, but suppressed the increased genome instability caused by individual query mutations.

Analysis of TCGA data using the human genes predicted to act in GIS pathways revealed that a minimum of 93% of ovarian and 66% of colorectal cancer cases had defects affecting one or more predicted GIS gene.

These defects included loss-of-function mutations, copy-number changes associated with reduced expression, and silencing. In contrast, acute myeloid leukaemia cases did not appear to have defects affecting the predicted GIS genes.

Reference

 A genetic network that suppresses genome rearrangements in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and contains defects in cancers. Putnam CD, Srivatsan A, Nene RV, Martinez SL, Clotfelter SP, Bell SN, Somach SB, E S de Souza J, Fonseca AF, de Souza SJ, Kolodner RD. Nat Commun. 2016 Apr 13;7:11256. doi : 10.1038/ncomms11256 PMID: 27071721