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Breast Cancer Research
Published in: Breast Cancer Research 1/2011

01-02-2011 | Editorial

Chasing the immortal strand: evidence for nature's way of protecting the breast genome

Authors: Nikolajs Zeps, Christine Hemmings

Published in: Breast Cancer Research | Issue 1/2011

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Abstract

Mutations arise during cell division at a predictable rate. Besides DNA repair mechanisms, the existence of cellular hierarchies that originate with a stem cell serve to reduce the number of divisions necessary for normal physiology. In a previous issue, Bussard and colleagues demonstrate that mammary stem cells have an additional remarkable trait; namely the ability to selectively retain a template DNA strand during self renewal. In doing so, they avoid the accumulation of mutations in that so called 'immortal strand'. The implications of this are discussed with reference to the development and treatment of cancer.
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Metadata
Title
Chasing the immortal strand: evidence for nature's way of protecting the breast genome
Authors
Nikolajs Zeps
Christine Hemmings
Publication date
01-02-2011
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Breast Cancer Research / Issue 1/2011
Electronic ISSN: 1465-542X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/bcr2793

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