BRCA1 and BRCA2: different roles in a common pathway of genome protection

Inherited inactivating mutations inBRCA1 or BRCA2seem to cause a similar predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer, but a closer look reveals many differences as well. This Perspective discusses the similarities and differences between BRCA1 and BRCA2 and their effects on cancer phenotypes. The proteins encoded by the two major breast cancer susceptibility genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, work in a common pathway of genome protection. However, the two...