Mechanistic Study of Fragile Site Breakage by Investigating RET/PTC Rearrangements, a Common Cause of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Chromosomal fragile sites are non-random regions of the genome with a predisposition to the formation of DNA breaks. Common fragile sites, which are found in all individuals, often coincide with regions mutated in cancer, and therefore are believed to play a role in carcinogenesis. However, there has been no direct evidence linking breakage at fragile sites to the formation of a cancer-causing chromosomal translocation. While fragile sites are stable under normal conditions, exposure to certain chemicals can induce DNA breakage at fragile sites, which ultimately may result in cancer development. The mechanism of instability at fragile sites remains elusive, making it difficult to determine the role of fragile sites in cancer and the risk factors involved. The goal of this work is to investigate the mechanism of common fragile site breakage, the role it plays in the formation of cancer-causing chromosomal translocations, and how this knowledge can be utilized to tailor the treatment of patients.

Grantor dc:publisher

Wake Forest University

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• Dillon, Laura Williams

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10339/37306

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:wakespace.lib.wfu.edu:10339/37306