Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which option best describes a version of a gene?
Which option best describes a version of a gene?
What term is used to describe tightly packed DNA?
What term is used to describe tightly packed DNA?
What is the basic building block of DNA?
What is the basic building block of DNA?
Which definition best matches the term that contains instructions to make a particular protein?
Which definition best matches the term that contains instructions to make a particular protein?
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Which option describes a structure that has two arms?
Which option describes a structure that has two arms?
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How many chromosomes do most human cells have?
How many chromosomes do most human cells have?
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How many chromatids does a human chromosome usually have following DNA replication?
How many chromatids does a human chromosome usually have following DNA replication?
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Cyclins are proteins that function primarily to regulate which aspect of the cell?
Cyclins are proteins that function primarily to regulate which aspect of the cell?
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What primarily determines the fate of a cell in relation to apoptosis?
What primarily determines the fate of a cell in relation to apoptosis?
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What is a common cause of chromosomal translocations that can lead to cancer?
What is a common cause of chromosomal translocations that can lead to cancer?
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What is the significance of the Philadelphia chromosome in cancer?
What is the significance of the Philadelphia chromosome in cancer?
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Which of the following options describes a mechanism of genetic damage that can lead to tumorigenesis?
Which of the following options describes a mechanism of genetic damage that can lead to tumorigenesis?
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Which of the following conditions can lead to the overexpression of Bcl-2, thereby evading apoptosis?
Which of the following conditions can lead to the overexpression of Bcl-2, thereby evading apoptosis?
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What is the primary role of oncogenes in cancer cells?
What is the primary role of oncogenes in cancer cells?
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What mutation is most commonly associated with the BRAF gene in neoplasia?
What mutation is most commonly associated with the BRAF gene in neoplasia?
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Which type of mutation involves the replacement of one nucleotide with another?
Which type of mutation involves the replacement of one nucleotide with another?
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Which of the following best describes the function of telomerase in cancer cells?
Which of the following best describes the function of telomerase in cancer cells?
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What mechanism do RAS mutations most commonly exemplify?
What mechanism do RAS mutations most commonly exemplify?
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How does MYC contribute to cell growth regulation?
How does MYC contribute to cell growth regulation?
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What are the characteristics of oncoproteins compared to their normal counterparts?
What are the characteristics of oncoproteins compared to their normal counterparts?
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Which statement about the MAPK pathway is correct?
Which statement about the MAPK pathway is correct?
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What is a fundamental role of transmembrane receptors in signal transduction pathways?
What is a fundamental role of transmembrane receptors in signal transduction pathways?
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What characterizes driver mutations in the context of neoplasia?
What characterizes driver mutations in the context of neoplasia?
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How do somatic mutations differ from germ cell mutations?
How do somatic mutations differ from germ cell mutations?
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Which of the following accurately describes genomic alterations?
Which of the following accurately describes genomic alterations?
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What is the outcome when mutations occur in a single precursor cell?
What is the outcome when mutations occur in a single precursor cell?
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What cellular functions can be modulated by signal transduction pathways?
What cellular functions can be modulated by signal transduction pathways?
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What differentiates passenger mutations from driver mutations?
What differentiates passenger mutations from driver mutations?
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Which of the following best describes the impact of mutations on gene expression?
Which of the following best describes the impact of mutations on gene expression?
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What is a consequence of mutations in the TP53 tumor suppressor gene?
What is a consequence of mutations in the TP53 tumor suppressor gene?
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What type of DNA damage does Xeroderma pigmentosum primarily affect?
What type of DNA damage does Xeroderma pigmentosum primarily affect?
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Which repair mechanism is primarily affected in individuals with Xeroderma pigmentosum?
Which repair mechanism is primarily affected in individuals with Xeroderma pigmentosum?
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What increases the risk of colorectal cancer in Lynch syndrome?
What increases the risk of colorectal cancer in Lynch syndrome?
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How much does Xeroderma pigmentosum increase the risk of skin cancers?
How much does Xeroderma pigmentosum increase the risk of skin cancers?
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Which of these genes is NOT associated with Lynch syndrome?
Which of these genes is NOT associated with Lynch syndrome?
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What is the primary function of mismatch repair (MMR) proteins?
What is the primary function of mismatch repair (MMR) proteins?
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Which types of cancer are individuals with Lynch syndrome at increased risk for?
Which types of cancer are individuals with Lynch syndrome at increased risk for?
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Which of the following is NOT a target of gene mutation in carcinogenesis?
Which of the following is NOT a target of gene mutation in carcinogenesis?
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What role do alleles play in the individual characteristics of a person?
What role do alleles play in the individual characteristics of a person?
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How many pairs of chromosomes do humans typically have?
How many pairs of chromosomes do humans typically have?
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Which statement about DNA structure is accurate?
Which statement about DNA structure is accurate?
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Which of the following best describes a distinct feature of chromosomes during cell division?
Which of the following best describes a distinct feature of chromosomes during cell division?
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What is the function of genes in human cells?
What is the function of genes in human cells?
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What is an allele?
What is an allele?
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Which portion of the chromosome is specifically targeted when discussing the address of a gene?
Which portion of the chromosome is specifically targeted when discussing the address of a gene?
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What is the consequence of having microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) in Lynch syndrome colorectal carcinoma?
What is the consequence of having microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) in Lynch syndrome colorectal carcinoma?
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Which process do BRCA1 and BRCA2 proteins primarily facilitate?
Which process do BRCA1 and BRCA2 proteins primarily facilitate?
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How is the role of proto-oncogenes best defined in the context of neoplasia?
How is the role of proto-oncogenes best defined in the context of neoplasia?
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What type of mutation is commonly associated with the presence of microsatellite instability?
What type of mutation is commonly associated with the presence of microsatellite instability?
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Which gene mutations account for a significant proportion of hereditary breast cancers?
Which gene mutations account for a significant proportion of hereditary breast cancers?
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What is a consequence of mutations in genes involved in DNA repair?
What is a consequence of mutations in genes involved in DNA repair?
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Which DNA repair mechanism is particularly affected in individuals with Xeroderma pigmentosum?
Which DNA repair mechanism is particularly affected in individuals with Xeroderma pigmentosum?
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How does the loss of mismatch repair (MMR) function contribute to cancer development in Lynch syndrome?
How does the loss of mismatch repair (MMR) function contribute to cancer development in Lynch syndrome?
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Which of the following correctly describes the genetic basis of Xeroderma pigmentosum?
Which of the following correctly describes the genetic basis of Xeroderma pigmentosum?
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What is the role of TP53 in cellular responses to DNA damage?
What is the role of TP53 in cellular responses to DNA damage?
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What is the median age of tumor development in individuals with Xeroderma pigmentosum?
What is the median age of tumor development in individuals with Xeroderma pigmentosum?
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Which type of cancer is NOT primarily associated with Lynch syndrome?
Which type of cancer is NOT primarily associated with Lynch syndrome?
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What environmental factors contribute to the genomic instability observed in many cancers?
What environmental factors contribute to the genomic instability observed in many cancers?
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What characterizes a driver mutation in relation to tumor development?
What characterizes a driver mutation in relation to tumor development?
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What is the role of signal transduction pathways in cellular regulation?
What is the role of signal transduction pathways in cellular regulation?
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How do somatic mutations differ from germ cell mutations in their implications?
How do somatic mutations differ from germ cell mutations in their implications?
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What describes the impact of genetic mutations on cellular processes?
What describes the impact of genetic mutations on cellular processes?
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Which statement accurately describes the hereditary nature of mutations?
Which statement accurately describes the hereditary nature of mutations?
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What is a consequence of mutations in genes involved in signal transduction pathways?
What is a consequence of mutations in genes involved in signal transduction pathways?
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What is the nature of genomic alterations observed during tumor progression?
What is the nature of genomic alterations observed during tumor progression?
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What distinguishes passenger mutations from driver mutations in neoplasia?
What distinguishes passenger mutations from driver mutations in neoplasia?
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What is required for tumor development in the context of tumor suppressor genes?
What is required for tumor development in the context of tumor suppressor genes?
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Which tumor suppressor gene is associated with familial retinoblastoma syndrome?
Which tumor suppressor gene is associated with familial retinoblastoma syndrome?
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In which syndrome do germline mutations in PTCH1 lead to a significant risk for basal cell carcinoma?
In which syndrome do germline mutations in PTCH1 lead to a significant risk for basal cell carcinoma?
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Which mechanism does APC primarily downregulate in relation to colorectal neoplasia?
Which mechanism does APC primarily downregulate in relation to colorectal neoplasia?
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How do germline mutations differ from somatic mutations?
How do germline mutations differ from somatic mutations?
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What role does the p53 protein encoded by the TP53 gene play in cellular processes?
What role does the p53 protein encoded by the TP53 gene play in cellular processes?
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What type of mutation is characterized by the deletion of a portion of the genome, often linked to meningiomas?
What type of mutation is characterized by the deletion of a portion of the genome, often linked to meningiomas?
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MDM2 acts as a negative regulator of which protein, potentially mimicking the effects of its mutation?
MDM2 acts as a negative regulator of which protein, potentially mimicking the effects of its mutation?
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Which specific type of mutation in tumor suppressor genes can lead to familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)?
Which specific type of mutation in tumor suppressor genes can lead to familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)?
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What is the typical developmental risk associated with having a germline mutation for tumor suppressor genes?
What is the typical developmental risk associated with having a germline mutation for tumor suppressor genes?
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Which mechanism results in the amplification of DNA sequences, commonly noted in liposarcoma?
Which mechanism results in the amplification of DNA sequences, commonly noted in liposarcoma?
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What genetic condition is characterized by a mutation in the 5q21-22 region, leading to multiple skin lesions and osteomas?
What genetic condition is characterized by a mutation in the 5q21-22 region, leading to multiple skin lesions and osteomas?
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What is the main consequence of losing function in tumor suppressor genes?
What is the main consequence of losing function in tumor suppressor genes?
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Study Notes
Chromosomes, Genes, and Alleles
- APC gene is located at 5q21 on a chromosome
- Allele is a version of a gene
- Chromosome is tightly packed DNA
- Nucleotide is the building block of DNA
- Gene contains instructions to make a protein
- Chromosome has two arms
- Most human cells have 46 chromosomes
- A human chromosome usually has two chromatids
Cell Cycle
- The cell cycle is a series of events that take place in a cell as it prepares for division (grows) and then divides into two daughter cells.
- G0 is the resting phase where the cell spends most of its time
- Cyclins are proteins that turn on kinases
- Kinases are enzymes called cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) that increase in activity in response to elevated cyclin levels
- CDK inhibitors, which are chemicals, inhibit CDK function
Signal Transduction Pathways
- Proteins encoded by genes participate in signaling pathways
- Chemical or physical signals are transmitted through a cell as a series of molecular events
- Many genes that are mutated in neoplasia encode proteins that are part of signal transduction pathways
- Transmembrane receptors bind extracellular signaling molecules
- Signal transduction pathways modulate many different cellular functions
From Gene to Signaling Pathway...to Gene
- Mutations in genes that encode proteins participating in signal transduction pathways can change gene expression or activate cell signaling/division independent of external stimuli
Neoplasia is Genetic
- Carcinogenesis is a result of non-lethal genetic damage
- Tumors are formed by clonal expansion of a single precursor cell that experienced genetic damage
- Tumors are clonal
- Genomic alterations may be inherited, arise from environmental influences, or occur stochastically
- Driver alterations contribute to the development of a malignant phenotype
- Passenger alterations are much more frequent than driver alterations but are not relevant to the development of a malignant phenotype
- Carcinogenesis results from the step-wise accumulation of complementary driver mutations over time
- Tumors continue to evolve genomically during outgrowth and progression
Genetic Mutations
- Genetic mutations are permanent changes in the DNA sequence
- Mutations that arise in germ cells (egg, sperm) are transmitted to offspring and can give rise to inherited diseases
- Mutations that arise in somatic cells are important in giving rise to cancers and some congenital malformations
- Mutations interfere with gene expression
Germ and Somatic Cells
- Germ cells have 23 chromosomes
Regulatory Genes and Cancer Causing Mutations
- There are four classes of normal regulatory genes that are the main targets of cancer-causing mutations: proto-oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, genes that regulate programmed cell death/apoptosis, and genes involved in DNA repair.
Oncogenes
- Oncogenes are mutated proto-oncogenes that promote autonomous cell growth in cancer cells.
- Oncogenes are gain-of-function mutations
- They encode mutant proteins called oncoproteins
- Oncoproteins have gained function to promote cell growth independently of normal extracellular growth-promoting signals
MAPK Pathway Alterations and BRAF Mutations
- The MAPK (mitogen activated protein kinase) pathway is present in 78-88% of ameloblastomas
- BRAF mutations are most common
- BRAFV600E mutations account for 90% of all BRAF mutations seen in neoplasia
- The BRAFV600E mutation results from BRAF c.1799T>A: Thymine (T) is replaced by adenine (A) at coding DNA sequence (nucleotide) 1799, which is a point mutation and activating mutation
- The BRAF protein consists of 766 amino acids
Oncogenic Proteins
- Growth factors
- Growth factor receptors
- Proteins involved in the signaling cascade
- Nuclear regulatory proteins
- Cell cycle regulators
RAS and MYC Mutations
- RAS is the most commonly mutated oncogene
- MYC is an oncogene that activates expression of many genes involved in cell growth
- MYC can reprogram plain somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells
- MYC upregulates telomerase in some contexts
- MYC contributes to stem-cell like immortalization of tumor cells
Telomerase
- Telomerase is an enzyme that lengthens telomeres, which results in limitless replicative potential and contributes to 'cell immortality'
Oncogene Description
- Driver
Evasion of Programmed Cell Death (Apoptosis)
- Apoptosis is programmed cell death in response to pathologic conditions such as carcinogenic mutations
- The Bcl-2 family consists of 25 pro-apoptotic or anti-apoptotic genes
- Relative expression of Bcl-2 family proteins determines cell fate
Follicular Lymphoma evades Cell Death
- Follicular lymphoma has overexpression of Bcl-2 via a chromosomal translocation
- Two-thirds of chromosomal translocations arise from erroneous repair of DNA double-strand breaks
Philadelphia Chromosome
- The Philadelphia chromosome is the most famous translocation, t(9;22), which is characteristic of chronic myelogenous leukemia
Chromosomal Translocation
- Chromosomal translocations are a "shortcut" to cancer
- Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the hard palate with (11;19) CRTC1-MAML2 translocation is associated with both CRTC1 and MAML2, which are transcription co-activators
Common Mechanisms of Genetic Damage
- Point mutations
- Gene deletions
- Gene amplifications
- Chromosomal translocations
Genomic Instability
- Defects in genes involved in DNA repair are often the source of genomic instability
- Genetic aberrations increase mutation rates which contribute to tumor progression
- TP53 is a tumor suppressor gene that, when mutated, cannot arrest cell division to repair DNA damage or initiate apoptosis in irreversibly damaged cells
- Humans are surrounded by mutagenic environmental agents like sunlight, radiation, and chemicals
- Cancer is a rare outcome of these exposures due to:
- Ability of normal cells to repair DNA damage
- Apoptosis as a protective response
- Normal surveillance mechanisms of the immune system
Xeroderma Pigmentosum
- Xeroderma pigmentosum is a cancer predisposition syndrome where individuals have an impaired ability to repair UV-induced DNA damage
- UV radiation frequently causes abnormal cross-linking of pyrimidine bases
- Normal, error-free DNA replication cannot occur with UV damage
- UV-induced DNA damage is normally repaired by the nucleotide excision repair (NER) system
- The NER system does not work properly in individuals with xeroderma pigmentosum
- Xeroderma pigmentosum is an autosomal recessive syndrome caused by inherited mutations in genes that encode NER proteins
- Individuals with xeroderma pigmentosum have a 1000-fold increased risk of skin cancers, a median age of tumor development of 8 years old, and an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip and tip of tongue
Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colon Cancer Syndrome (Lynch Syndrome)
- During DNA replication, DNA mismatch repair (MMR) proteins act as "spell-checkers" to detect, excise, and repair defects
- If the MMR protein's proofreading function is lost, genetic mutations are more likely to accumulate and a greater mutational load contributes to the accumulation of complementary driver mutations
- MMR proteins are encoded by MSH2, MLH1, MSH6, PMS2, EPCAM genes
- Germline mutations in these genes:
- Increase risk of colorectal cancer
- Increase the risk of other cancers (endometrium, stomach, brain, skin, etc.)
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Description
This quiz explores the fundamental concepts of chromosomes, genes, and the cell cycle. You'll learn about the structure of DNA, the role of alleles and genes, and the phases of the cell cycle, including important proteins like cyclins and kinases. Test your understanding of these key biological processes!