Embryonic Development and Cancer Biology Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary outcome of gastrulation in the context of embryonic development?

  • Differentiation of cells into ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. (correct)
  • Folding of the epithelium into a ball.
  • The initial shaping of the archenteron.
  • Formation of the blastocoel.

    • During gastrulation, what is the archenteron?

  • The outer layer of cells in the embryo during gastrulation
  • The group of cells that loosens from the vegetal plate to form the mesoderm
  • The cavity formed by the folding of the epithelial sheet (correct)
  • The signaling molecules that induce the formation of the gut

    • What is a key event during the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)?

  • Mesenchymal cells secrete inducers to transform other cells.
  • Epithelial cells begin to synthesize E-cadherin at a higher rate.
  • Epithelial cells lose contact with their neighbors before invading other tissue. (correct)
  • Epithelial cells maintain strong adhesion to neighboring cells.

    • Which of the following is NOT described as an extrinsic signal that induces EMT?

    <p>PI3K-Ras-MAPK pathway activation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which signaling pathway is involved in regulating EMT via Snail or Slug?

    <p>TGF$\beta$ pathway (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of GSK3$\beta$ in the context of EMT, as described in the text?

    <p>It is involved in the phosphorylation of molecules that cause EMT. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What molecular structures are conserved among the Snail family of transcriptional repressors?

    <p>Both a SNAG domain and zinc fingers (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the MTA3 transcription factor in the context of EMT?

    <p>It is associated with the effects of estrogens on EMT. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What cellular process is critical for the transition of benign tumors into invasive and metastatic cancers?

    <p>Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant factor that increases the risk of developing aggressive cancers according to the information presented?

    <p>Organ fibrosis (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of cancer-related deaths are generally attributed to primary tumors?

    <p>Less than 10% (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of tumor development, which statement best describes the role of tumor size as it relates to metastasis?

    <p>Primary tumor size can often predict the likelihood of metastasis. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a typical characteristic of tumor metastasis?

    <p>Metastasis is always predictable based on the primary tumor type. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The development of aggressive cancers is specifically linked to organ fibrosis. Which of the following examples does NOT describe a type of organ fibrosis mentioned in the text?

    <p>Renal Fibrosis (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT), which of the following cellular changes occurs?

    <p>Reorganization of the cytoskeleton to allow 3D movement in the ECM. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the information presented, what is the primary challenge in extending patient survival with cancer?

    <p>Understanding and preventing the metastatic process. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Within the context of the invasion-metastasis cascade, what is an important factor that is highlighted about cancer cell behavior?

    <p>The probability of an individual cancer cell completing the invasion-metastasis cascade is minimal. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A key characteristic of epithelial cells is their:

    <p>Tight adhesion to neighboring cells, forming a sheet. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following protein markers is typically decreased in abundance during Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT)?

    <p>E-cadherin (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The apical surface of an epithelial cell is characterized by:

    <p>Specific structures such as tight junctions and adherens junctions. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the structure of mesenchymal cells?

    <p>Cells with weak adhesions and an elongated shape. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During EMT, which transcription factor, when expressed in MDCK cells, leads to an increase in fibronectin and vimentin?

    <p>Twist (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of development, Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is critical during:

    <p>Both the initial segregation of germ layers and neural crest delamination. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a typical physiological process or disease associated with EMT in adults?

    <p>Epithelial cell growth and division during cell replacement (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    An epithelial sheet is described as polarized because:

    <p>Its apical and basal surfaces often have different characteristics and functions. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following proteins is typically increased in abundance during EMT?

    <p>Vimentin (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT)

    A process where epithelial cells lose their characteristics and transform into mesenchymal cells.

    Epithelial Cells

    Epithelial cells are tightly connected, form sheets, and have a defined apical and basal surface.

    Mesenchymal Cells

    Mesenchymal cells are less structured, more mobile, and have weak connections between them.

    E-cadherin

    A protein that helps maintain cell-cell connections in epithelial cells.

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    N-cadherin

    A protein important for cell-cell connections in mesenchymal cells.

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    Cytokeratin

    A protein that helps form the cytoskeleton of epithelial cells, giving it shape.

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    Vimentin

    A protein that helps form the cytoskeleton of mesenchymal cells, allowing for movement and flexibility.

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    Gastrulation

    A process during early development where an embryo forms three distinct layers of cells: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm.

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    Neural Crest Delamination

    A process where neural crest cells detach from the neural tube and migrate to different parts of the body.

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    EMT in Adult Organisms

    EMT plays a crucial role in wound healing and tissue repair in adult organisms.

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    Ectoderm

    One of the three primary germ layers formed during gastrulation; it develops into the skin and nervous system.

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    Mesoderm

    One of the three primary germ layers formed during gastrulation; it develops into the muscles, bones, and circulatory system.

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    Endoderm

    One of the three primary germ layers formed during gastrulation; it develops into the lining of the digestive system and respiratory system.

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    Extrinsic and Intracellular Signals in EMT

    Factors that trigger EMT, including signaling molecules, cell-cell adhesion changes and intracellular pathway activation.

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    Snail Family of Transcription Repressors

    A family of transcription factors that play a key role in regulating EMT. Members of the family include Snail, Slug, Smuc, and Scratch.

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    Stromal Cell Control of EMT

    The process by which stromal cells, the supporting cells of tissues, influence the behavior of epithelial cells, including their ability to undergo EMT.

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    What is metastasis?

    The spread of cancer cells from the primary tumor to distant sites in the body.

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    What is EMT (Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition)?

    The process by which epithelial cells transform into mesenchymal cells, allowing them to move and invade surrounding tissue.

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    What is the Invasion-Metastasis Cascade?

    A series of steps that a cancer cell must go through to successfully metastasize, including invasion, intravasation, circulation, extravasation, and colonization.

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    What is a metastatic cell?

    A type of cancer cell that has the potential to spread to distant sites.

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    What is a primary tumor?

    A tumor that has not spread to other parts of the body.

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    What is a metastatic tumor?

    A tumor that has spread from the primary site to other parts of the body.

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    Why are most tumors only detected after they have reached a large size?

    Tumors can grow for years before being detected because they initially grow in extensible spaces and don't affect organ function.

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    Why is understanding metastasis crucial for improving cancer treatment?

    Metastasis is the most lethal aspect of cancer, and understanding it offers the best chance of improving patient survival.

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    Study Notes

    Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT)

    • EMT is a series of events where cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions change.
    • Epithelial cells are released from surrounding tissue.
    • Cytoskeleton reorganizes, allowing 3D movement within ECM.
    • A new transcriptional program maintains the mesenchymal phenotype.

    Cell Types

    • Epithelial cells form a sheet, typically one cell thick.
    • Cells are joined/abutted, regularly spaced.
    • Cells are tightly attached, inhibiting movement.
    • Epithelial cells enclose a 3D space and have a polarized structure (resting state: inside of cell membrane is negatively charged).
    • Apical and basal surfaces have different characteristics and functions.
    • Adhere to various ECM substrates.
    • Mesenchymal cells lack a regimented structure and have few intracellular adhesions.
    • They have weak adhesions allowing for easy mobility, forming irregular structures.
    • Mesenchymal cells are generally elongated in form.
    • All animal development starts with epithelial cells; both cell types can form all three germ layers (ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm).

    EMT Markers

    • Increase in abundance: N-cadherin, Vimentin, Fibronectin, Snail1(Snail), Snail2(Slug), Twist, FOXC2, Goosecoid, Sox10, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, Integrin vβ6
    • Decrease in abundance: E-cadherin, Desmoplakin, Cytokeratin, Occluding
    • Increased activity: ILK, GSK-3β, Rho
    • Accumulate in the nucleus: β-catenin, Smad-2/3, NF-κB, Snail1(Snail), Snail2(Slug), Twist

    EMT in Development & Tissues

    • EMT is crucial for development (e.g., gastrulation, neural crest delamination).
    • EMT also plays a role in adult tissue processes (e.g., wound healing, fibrosis, cancer metastasis).
    • Epithelium I secretes inducers which induce EMT in Epithelium II.
    • Green arrows show recruitment of Epithelium II-derived mesenchymal to Epithelium I; blue cells differentiate
    • Red dots represent the inducing tissues which have molecular information in the cells.

    EMT and Cancer

    • EMT during tumor progression allows benign tumors to infiltrate surrounding tissues and metastasize.
    • EMT stages are incorporated in pathological staging of tumors.

    Metastasis

    • Tumors take a long time to detect, typically years.
    • Metastasis is the most lethal cancer process, responsible for 90% of cancer deaths.
    • Primary tumors account for less than 10% of cancer deaths.
    • Primary tumor size often predicts metastasis.
    • Some tumors do not metastasize, others do frequently.
    • Organ fibrosis is a factor in cancer development
    • The invasion-metastasis process has 6 distinct steps

    Animal Development

    • Early cleavage results in a ball of cells (blastocoel).
    • The initial structure is an epithelium folded into a ball
    • Gastrulation is the formation of a triploblastic embryo with three germ layers (ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm).

    Signaling in EMT

    • Extrinsic signals (e.g., TGF-β, FGF, Wnt) induce EMT.
    • Intracellular pathways (e.g., PI3K, Ras, GSK3B) regulate EMT.
    • Transcription factors (e.g., Snail, Slug and others) control EMT.

    Biochemical Changes Accompanying EMT

    • Expression of Twist transcription factor, within MDCK cells, induces fibronectin and vimentin.

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    Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) - PDF

    Description

    Test your knowledge on the key processes of embryonic development, particularly gastrulation, and the mechanisms involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). This quiz covers important concepts relating to tumor development and cancer biology, including factors that contribute to metastasis and aggressiveness in tumors.

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