It is presently unclear if germline BAP1 mutations are sufficient per se to cause mesothelioma, as suggested by the spontaneous development of mesothelioma in mice carrying germline BAP1 mutations [28], or whether germline BAP1 mutations lower the threshold of asbestos exposure required to cause mesothelioma, as suggested by experiments in which lower amounts of asbestos were required to induce mesothelioma in heterozygous BAP1 mutant mice [29]. The gene discussed is BAP1; the disease is mesothelioma.