This gene encodes a protein that functions in genome maintenance (double strand break repair). This protein binds to and colocalizes with the breast cancer 2 early onset protein (BRCA2) in nuclear foci and likely permits the stable intranuclear localization and accumulation of BRCA2.[1] PALB2 binds the single strand DNA and directly interacts with the recombinase RAD51 to stimulate strand invasion, a vital step of homologous recombination,[11] (see Figure "Homologous recombinational repair of DNA double-strand damage"). PALB2 can function synergistically with a BRCA2 chimera (termed piccolo, or piBRCA2) to further promote strand invasion.[11]
Clinical significance
Variants in the PALB2 gene are associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer [12] of magnitude similar to that associated with BRCA2 mutations [13] and PALB2-deficient cells are sensitive to PARP inhibitors.[11]
PALB2 was recently identified as a susceptibility gene for familial pancreatic cancer by scientists at the Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center at Johns Hopkins. This has paved for the way for developing a new gene test for families where pancreatic cancer occurs in multiple family members.[14] Tests for PALB2 have been developed by Ambry Genetics [15] and Myriad Genetics[16] that are now available. The PALB2 Interest Group (PALB2.org) is an international consortium of scientists and clinicians who coordinate research into this gene. They are keen to hear from women and men with PALB2 mutations.
Biallelic mutations in PALB2 (also known as FANCN), similar to biallelic BRCA2 mutations, cause Fanconi anemia.[3]
Meiosis
PALB2 mutant male mice have reduced fertility.[17] This reduced fertility appears to be due to germ cell attrition resulting from a combination of unrepaired DNA breaks during meiosis and defective synapsis of the X and Y chromosomes. The function of homologous recombination during meiosis appears to be repair of DNA damages, particularly double-strand breaks[18] (also see Origin and function of meiosis). The PALB2-BRCA1 interaction is likely important for repairing such damages during male meiosis.
↑Xia B, Sheng Q, Nakanishi K, Ohashi A, Wu J, Christ N, Liu X, Jasin M, Couch FJ, Livingston DM (June 2006). "Control of BRCA2 cellular and clinical functions by a nuclear partner, PALB2". Molecular Cell. 22 (6): 719–29. doi:10.1016/j.molcel.2006.05.022. PMID16793542.
↑ 3.03.1Xia B, Dorsman JC, Ameziane N, de Vries Y, Rooimans MA, Sheng Q, Pals G, Errami A, Gluckman E, Llera J, Wang W, Livingston DM, Joenje H, de Winter JP (February 2007). "Fanconi anemia is associated with a defect in the BRCA2 partner PALB2". Nature Genetics. 39 (2): 159–61. doi:10.1038/ng1942. PMID17200672.
↑Castillo P, Bogliolo M, Surralles J (May 2011). "Coordinated action of the Fanconi anemia and ataxia telangiectasia pathways in response to oxidative damage". DNA Repair. 10 (5): 518–25. doi:10.1016/j.dnarep.2011.02.007. PMID21466974.
↑Stolz A, Ertych N, Bastians H (February 2011). "Tumor suppressor CHK2: regulator of DNA damage response and mediator of chromosomal stability". Clinical Cancer Research. 17 (3): 401–5. doi:10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-10-1215. PMID21088254.
↑Taniguchi T, Garcia-Higuera I, Andreassen PR, Gregory RC, Grompe M, D'Andrea AD (October 2002). "S-phase-specific interaction of the Fanconi anemia protein, FANCD2, with BRCA1 and RAD51". Blood. 100 (7): 2414–20. doi:10.1182/blood-2002-01-0278. PMID12239151.
↑Chen P, Liang J, Wang Z, Zhou X, Chen L, Li M, Xie D, Hu Z, Shen H, Wang H (September 2008). "Association of common PALB2 polymorphisms with breast cancer risk: a case-control study". Clinical Cancer Research. 14 (18): 5931–7. doi:10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-08-0429. PMID18794107.
↑Antoniou AC, Casadei S, Heikkinen T, Barrowdale D, Pylkäs K, Roberts J, Lee A, Subramanian D, De Leeneer K, Fostira F, Tomiak E, Neuhausen SL, Teo ZL, Khan S, Aittomäki K, Moilanen JS, Turnbull C, Seal S, Mannermaa A, Kallioniemi A, Lindeman GJ, Buys SS, Andrulis IL, Radice P, Tondini C, Manoukian S, Toland AE, Miron P, Weitzel JN, Domchek SM, Poppe B, Claes KB, Yannoukakos D, Concannon P, Bernstein JL, James PA, Easton DF, Goldgar DE, Hopper JL, Rahman N, Peterlongo P, Nevanlinna H, King MC, Couch FJ, Southey MC, Winqvist R, Foulkes WD, Tischkowitz M (August 2014). "Breast-cancer risk in families with mutations in PALB2". The New England Journal of Medicine. 371 (6): 497–506. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1400382. PMC4157599. PMID25099575.
Xia B, Sheng Q, Nakanishi K, Ohashi A, Wu J, Christ N, Liu X, Jasin M, Couch FJ, Livingston DM (June 2006). "Control of BRCA2 cellular and clinical functions by a nuclear partner, PALB2". Molecular Cell. 22 (6): 719–29. doi:10.1016/j.molcel.2006.05.022. PMID16793542.
Reid S, Schindler D, Hanenberg H, Barker K, Hanks S, Kalb R, Neveling K, Kelly P, Seal S, Freund M, Wurm M, Batish SD, Lach FP, Yetgin S, Neitzel H, Ariffin H, Tischkowitz M, Mathew CG, Auerbach AD, Rahman N (February 2007). "Biallelic mutations in PALB2 cause Fanconi anemia subtype FA-N and predispose to childhood cancer". Nature Genetics. 39 (2): 162–4. doi:10.1038/ng1947. PMID17200671.
Xia B, Dorsman JC, Ameziane N, de Vries Y, Rooimans MA, Sheng Q, Pals G, Errami A, Gluckman E, Llera J, Wang W, Livingston DM, Joenje H, de Winter JP (February 2007). "Fanconi anemia is associated with a defect in the BRCA2 partner PALB2". Nature Genetics. 39 (2): 159–61. doi:10.1038/ng1942. PMID17200672.
Erkko H, Xia B, Nikkilä J, Schleutker J, Syrjäkoski K, Mannermaa A, Kallioniemi A, Pylkäs K, Karppinen SM, Rapakko K, Miron A, Sheng Q, Li G, Mattila H, Bell DW, Haber DA, Grip M, Reiman M, Jukkola-Vuorinen A, Mustonen A, Kere J, Aaltonen LA, Kosma VM, Kataja V, Soini Y, Drapkin RI, Livingston DM, Winqvist R (March 2007). "A recurrent mutation in PALB2 in Finnish cancer families". Nature. 446 (7133): 316–9. Bibcode:2007Natur.446..316E. doi:10.1038/nature05609. PMID17287723.