A Genetic Defect in Sex Cells May Predispose to Childhood Leukemia

Published December 17, 2012
Medical Xpress
http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-12-genetic-defect-sex-cells-predispose.html  
(no author given)

Summary
Researchers have discovered that it is possible for a predisposition to acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) to be inherited. This occurs when one of the parent’s PRDM9 gene mutates in the gamete that a child arises from. About half the patients with ALL have this inherited mutation. However, not everyone with the gene gets ALL. It only gives a head start on the mutations needed to develop this cancer, so even children without the inherited mutation can still develop this cancer.

Connection
This article relates to the study of inherited mutations. We learned that mutations could only be passed down if they are present in gametes, not somatic cells. In this case, the mutation is in a gamete, so it can be inherited. Additionally, this connects to our study of cancer. We learned that cancer cannot be inherited, but mutations that lead to cancer can be if the mutation is in a gamete. It normally occurs when there are mutations to the tumor-suppressor genes and growth factors because then cells divides too fast and the tumor-suppressor genes don’t limit their growth. So, if only one mutated cell is inherited, it can lead to cancer but only if other mutations accumulate. It just has a head start on the accumulations. The PRDM9 mutated gene only leads to ALL with further mutations.