Oncogenes and Cell Transformation

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What is the primary function of normal alleles of tumor suppressor genes?

To promote cell proliferation

To inhibit cell differentiation

To induce apoptosis

To control cell proliferation (correct)

How do mutant tumor suppressor alleles act?

Dominantly to cause increased cell proliferation

Recessively to cause increased cell proliferation (correct)

Autosomally to regulate cell growth

X-linked to promote cell differentiation

Why do individuals who inherit a mutant RB allele have a high risk of retinoblastoma?

Because the RB allele is inherited in a dominant pattern

Because the RB+ allele is always lost

Because the RB+ allele can be lost or mutated during retinal cell proliferation (correct)

Because the RB allele is always mutant

What happens when the wild-type allele in somatic cells of a heterozygote is lost or mutated?

Abnormal cell proliferation occurs Signup and view all the answers

How are tumor suppressor genes often identified?

Through genetic analysis of families with inherited predisposition to cancer Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the loss of heterozygosity in retinal cells of individuals who inherit one copy of the RB- allele?

Tumor development as a clone Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the retinoblastoma tumor-suppressor gene at the organismal level?

Dominant predisposition to cancer Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the normal Rb protein in the cell cycle?

To delay entry into S-phase Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of BRCA1 and BRCA2 proteins in DNA repair?

To repair double-strand breaks in DNA Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of losing p53 function in a cell?

Genomic instability Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of personalized cancer treatment?

To tailor treatments for individual cancers Signup and view all the answers

What is an ancient treatment for cancer that is still used today?

Surgery Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of a gain-of-function mutation in oncogenes?

Increased protein activity Signup and view all the answers

How is the Ras oncogene typically activated?

Constitutively, regardless of receptor activity status Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of Her2 overexpression in breast cancer?

Gene amplification Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a Ras oncogene?

Requires growth factor binding for activation Signup and view all the answers

What is the mechanism of activation of the c-Abl oncogene?

Chromosomal translocation Signup and view all the answers

What is the normal function of the Ras protein?

Inactive until activated by growth factors Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of receptor design in cancer treatment?

To bind antigens on cancer cells but not normal cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of whole-genome sequencing in cancer treatment?

To identify driver mutations and druggable targets Signup and view all the answers

What is a common reason for cancer recurrence?

Heterogeneity of tumors Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of large-scale genome projects?

Characterizing hundreds of cancer genomes Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential benefit of identifying druggable targets in cancer treatment?

Expanded usefulness of developed drugs Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the mutation of some genes being common in cancer genomes?

It may indicate potential druggable targets Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of PARP inhibitors in cancer treatment?

To block the PARP enzyme that repairs DNA nicks Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of immune checkpoints in cancer cells?

To avoid recognition by the immune system Signup and view all the answers

What is the mechanism of action of CAR T-cell therapy?

By adding a synthetic receptor to T cells to recognize cancer cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of antibodies against PD-1 or PDL-1 in cancer treatment?

To allow T cells to attack cancer cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of T cells in the immune system?

To recognize and destroy foreign/abnormal cells Signup and view all the answers

What is a common side effect of antibodies against PD-1 or PDL-1?

Severe side effects Signup and view all the answers