In laboratory experiments conducted on human cell lines at the Johns
Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, scientists have shown that people carrying
certain mutations in two hereditary cancer
genes, BRCA2 and PALB2, may have a higher than usual susceptibility to
DNA damage caused by a byproduct of alcohol, called acetaldehyde.
The scientists say they suspect that the two genes in their normal forms evolved to protect cells against the damaging effects of acetaldehyde, which can lead to cancer.
The scientists say they suspect that the two genes in their normal forms evolved to protect cells against the damaging effects of acetaldehyde, which can lead to cancer.
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