Trinucleotide repeats are prevalent among cancer-related genes

Trends Genet. 2008 Jan;24(1):14-8. doi: 10.1016/j.tig.2007.09.005. Epub 2007 Dec 4.

Abstract

Trinucleotide repeats (TNRs) have been primarily connected to neurologic and neuromuscular diseases, with few specific TNRs linked with various tumors. Here we conduct a genome-wide analysis and show that TNRs are five times more prevalent in cancer-related human genes. Interestingly, we also find that cancer-related genes are significantly longer than other genes. Our results suggest that genes containing TNRs are more prone to mutagenesis. The database of TNR genes can be used as a list of candidate cancer-related genes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Genes, Neoplasm*
  • Genome / genetics
  • Humans
  • Trinucleotide Repeats / genetics*