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BRCA2

Meaning

BRCA2, or Breast Cancer gene 2, is a critical tumor suppressor gene that encodes a protein essential for maintaining genomic integrity and stability within human cells. The BRCA2 protein plays a primary role in the repair of double-strand DNA breaks through the highly accurate homologous recombination pathway. Inherited mutations in this gene dramatically increase an individual’s lifetime risk for developing various hormone-sensitive cancers, including breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers. This gene is a key component of the body’s intrinsic cellular defense against oncogenesis.