University of Minnesota researchers discover enzyme behind breast cancer mutations

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have uncovered a human enzyme responsible for causing DNA mutations found in the majority of breast cancers. The discovery of this enzyme – called APOBEC3B – may change the way breast cancer is diagnosed and treated. The findings from a team of researchers led by Reuben Harris, Ph.D., associate professor of biochemistry, molecular biology and biophysics and also a researcher at the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, are published in Nature. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Burns MB, et al. APOBEC3B is an enzymatic source of mutation in breast cancer. Nature. 2013 Feb 6. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 23389445