Carcinogenesis through abnormalities of DNA repair genes

: Mechanisms of carcinogenesis through abnormalities of DNA repair genes are overviewed. Inactivation of DNA mismatch repair(MMR) gene(s) observed in tumors of hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer induces frameshift mutator mutation in MMR genes themselves, growth inhibitory genes and apoptosis inhibitory genes providing favorable genetic background for a malignant clone to be expanded. Deficiency of nucleotide excision repair that is usually employed for the removal of pyrimidine dimer formed by ultraviolet-irradiation in xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) causes hypersensitivity of the skin to sunlight as well as increased risk of skin cancer. Strand specificity and absence of hot spots for p53 tumor suppressor gene mutations was reported in ultraviolet induced skin cancers of XP model mice.