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Questions and Answers
What are oncogenes?
How can oncogenes be activated?
What is one way that oncogenes can promote cancer cell growth and survival?
Which of the following is an example of an oncogene in cancer?
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What is a consequence of oncogene activation?
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What is the normal function of tumor-suppressor genes in regulating the cell cycle?
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What happens to tumor-suppressor genes during the development of cancer?
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Why do two mutations need to occur for a tumor-suppressor gene to be inactivated?
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What is the term for tumor-suppressor genes?
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How do oncogenes and tumor-suppressor genes differ in their activation?
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Study Notes
Oncogenes and Cancer Cells
Oncogenes are genes that have the potential to cause cancer. They are mutated forms of proto-oncogenes, which are genes that normally promote cell growth and division.
Proto-oncogenes
- Proto-oncogenes are genes that regulate cell growth, division, and survival.
- They code for proteins involved in signal transduction pathways that stimulate cell proliferation.
- Examples of proto-oncogenes include:
- HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2)
- MYC (v-myc avian myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog)
- RAS (rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog)
Oncogene Activation
- Oncogenes are activated through genetic mutations, such as:
- Point mutations
- Gene amplification
- Chromosomal translocations
- Oncogene activation leads to:
- Uncontrolled cell growth and division
- Loss of cell cycle regulation
- Increased angiogenesis (blood vessel formation)
- Inhibition of apoptosis (programmed cell death)
Oncogene Functions
- Oncogenes can promote cancer cell growth and survival by:
- Stimulating cell proliferation
- Inhibiting apoptosis
- Enhancing angiogenesis
- Activating anti-apoptotic pathways
- Oncogenes can also contribute to cancer development by:
- Disrupting normal cell cycle regulation
- Inducing genetic instability
- Promoting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)
Examples of Oncogenes in Cancer
- HER2 in breast cancer
- MYC in Burkitt lymphoma
- RAS in lung, colon, and pancreatic cancer
- BRAF in melanoma and colorectal cancer
Oncogenes and Cancer Cells
Proto-oncogenes
- Regulate cell growth, division, and survival
- Code for proteins involved in signal transduction pathways that stimulate cell proliferation
- Examples include:
- HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2)
- MYC (v-myc avian myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog)
- RAS (rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog)
Oncogene Activation
- Activated through genetic mutations, including:
- Point mutations
- Gene amplification
- Chromosomal translocations
- Consequences of oncogene activation:
- Uncontrolled cell growth and division
- Loss of cell cycle regulation
- Increased angiogenesis (blood vessel formation)
- Inhibition of apoptosis (programmed cell death)
Oncogene Functions
- Promote cancer cell growth and survival by:
- Stimulating cell proliferation
- Inhibiting apoptosis
- Enhancing angiogenesis
- Activating anti-apoptotic pathways
- Contribute to cancer development by:
- Disrupting normal cell cycle regulation
- Inducing genetic instability
- Promoting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)
Oncogenes in Cancer
- HER2 in breast cancer
- MYC in Burkitt lymphoma
- RAS in lung, colon, and pancreatic cancer
- BRAF in melanoma and colorectal cancer
Tumor-Suppressor Genes
- Tumor-suppressor genes regulate the cell cycle, inhibit proliferation from growth signals, stop cell division when cells are damaged, and prevent mutations.
- They are also referred to as anti-oncogenes.
- Inactivation of tumor-suppressor genes contributes to uncontrolled cancer cell proliferation.
Activation of Oncogenes vs. Inactivation of Tumor-Suppressor Genes
- Oncogenes are activated in cancers.
- Tumor suppressors must be inactivated for cancer to occur.
Genetic Mutations
- A single genetic event can activate an oncogene due to its dominant nature.
- Two copies of each tumor-suppressor gene exist, one from each parent.
- Both copies of the tumor-suppressor gene must be inactivated for cancer to occur, requiring two mutations.
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Description
Learn about oncogenes, mutated forms of proto-oncogenes that can cause cancer. Understand the role of proto-oncogenes in cell growth and division.
