BRCA 1 (named for "breast cancer 1") is a human gene located on the long arm of the 17th chromosome (17q21). This gene, called a tumor suppressor gene, encodes a protein whose function is the suppression of tumor formation. Its exact mechanism of action is not known. A mutation in this gene can lead to an increased risk of certain cancers, particularly breast cancer (in both women and men) and ovarian cancer.
External links
- Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man:
