Fanconi anemia group J protein is a protein that in humans is encoded by the BRCA1-interacting protein 1 (BRIP1) gene. [5] [6] [7]
The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the RecQ DEAH helicase family and interacts with the BRCT repeats of breast cancer, type 1 (BRCA1). The bound complex is important in the normal double-strand break repair function of breast cancer, type 1 (BRCA1). This gene may be a target of germline cancer-inducing mutations. [7]
This protein also appears to be important in ovarian cancer where it seems to act as a tumor suppressor. [8] Mutations in BRIP1 are associated with a 10-15% risk of ovarian cancer. [9]
BRIP1 appears to have an important role in neuronal cells by suppressing oxidative stress, excitotoxicity induced DNA damage, and in protecting the integrity of mitochondria. [10] A deficiency of BRIP1 causes increased DNA damage, mitochondrial abnormalities and neuronal cell death.
BRIP1 protein is a DNA helicase that is employed in homologous recombinational repair, and in the response of the cell to DNA replication stress. [11] In part, BRIP1 carries out its function through interaction with other key DNA repair proteins, specifically MLH1, BRCA1 and BLM. [11] This group of proteins helps to ensuring genome stability, and in particular repairs DNA double-strand breaks during prophase 1 of meiosis.
During prophase I of meiosis in male mice, BRIP1 functions in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks, but does not appear to have a role in the formation of chromosomal crossovers. [12] BRIP1 co-localizes with TOPBP1 scaffold protein and the BRCA1 repair protein along chromosome cores starting early in meiotic prophase I forming discrete foci, and is also densely localized to the axes of unsynapsed chromosomes during the late zygonema (zygotene) stage of meiosis. [12]
BRIP1 has been shown to interact with BRCA1. [13] [14] [15] [16] [17]