Tumour Suppressor Genes Overview
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary role of tumour suppressor genes in relation to the cell cycle?

  • To negatively regulate the cell cycle (correct)
  • To promote oncogene activity
  • To enhance cell cycle progression
  • To facilitate uncontrolled cell growth

How do mutations in tumour suppressor genes generally affect cellular functions?

  • They enhance cell differentiation
  • They inhibit cell-to-cell contact
  • They cause unregulated cell proliferation (correct)
  • They lead to increased cell apoptosis

Which of the following statements about mutations in tumour suppressor genes is TRUE?

  • They can lead to increased apoptosis
  • They are typically dominant mutations
  • They are generally recessive mutations (correct)
  • They result in a gain of function

Which function is NOT associated with tumour suppressor genes?

<p>Promoting cell growth (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key mechanism of action for tumour suppressor genes in tumorigenesis?

<p>Regulating cell cycle checkpoints (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which therapy specifically targets estrogen receptors in breast cancer treatment?

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

What is the primary function of aromatase inhibitors in breast cancer treatment?

<p>Prevent the production of estrogen (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Imatinib mesylate is primarily effective against which type of cancer?

<p>Leukemia (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of enzymes do targeted therapies like Imatinib mesylate inhibit?

<p>Tyrosine kinase enzymes (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of aromatase inhibitor?

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

Which drug is specifically approved to treat HER2-positive breast cancer?

<p>Trastuzumab (Herceptin®) (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism of action for Gefitinib (Iressa®)?

<p>Inhibition of EGFR tyrosine kinase activity (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of cancer is Erlotinib (Tarceva®) used to treat?

<p>Metastatic non-small cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does Cetuximab (Erbitux®) play in cancer treatment?

<p>It targets the EGFR protein specifically. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following components is depicted as inhibiting the EGFR pathway in the diagram?

<p>EGFR-Tyrosine Kinase inhibitors (A), Anti-EGFR Antibody inhibitors (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do oncogenes primarily play in cell behavior?

<p>They encode proteins that enhance cell cycle progression and inhibit apoptosis. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding proto-oncogenes in normal cells?

<p>They encode proteins that are activated selectively by appropriate regulatory signals. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of mutations in oncogenes in cancer cells?

<p>They cause proteins to become continuously activated and unresponsive to regulatory signals. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do mutations in oncogenes typically affect their function?

<p>They result in a dominant gain of function. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a feature of oncogenes?

<p>They are only harmful when expressed at low levels. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Tumour suppressor genes

Genes that normally help regulate the cell cycle and ensure cells die off when they should.

How do tumour suppressor gene mutations affect cell growth?

Mutations in these genes can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and potential cancer development.

Are tumour suppressor gene mutations dominant or recessive?

Two copies of the gene need to be mutated to make these genes non-functional.

What are some functions of tumour suppressor genes?

They can control how cells differentiate, how they communicate with each other, and how they respond to growth signals.

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How do tumour suppressor genes interact with oncogenes?

Sometimes they can block the activity of oncogenes, genes that promote cell growth and can contribute to cancer.

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What is EGFR?

A type of protein found on the surface of cells, often overproduced in cancer cells, involved in cell growth and division.

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What are EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors?

A class of drugs that block the activity of EGFR, preventing it from sending signals that promote cancer cell growth.

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What are anti-EGFR antibodies?

A type of drug that binds to the EGFR protein and blocks its function, preventing it from activating the growth pathway.

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What is Trastuzumab (Herceptin)?

A specific cancer drug that targets the HER2 protein, which is frequently overexpressed in some types of breast cancer.

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What are cancer growth blockers?

These drugs are used to treat cancer by targeting specific proteins involved in cell growth and signaling pathways

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Oncogenes

Genes that promote cell growth and division.

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Proto-oncogenes

Normal genes that can become oncogenes through mutations.

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Oncogene activation

Mutations in oncogenes that make them constantly active.

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Dominant mutations

One copy of a mutated oncogene is enough to cause a change in cell behavior.

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Gain-of-function mutations

Oncogene mutations cause a gain of function, meaning the protein is abnormally active.

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What are estrogen receptor blockers and how do they work?

Drugs like tamoxifen and fulvestrant block the action of estrogen, a hormone that can promote the growth of some breast cancers. These drugs are used to treat hormone-sensitive breast cancers.

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How do aromatase inhibitors work?

Aromatase inhibitors like anastrozole, exemestane, and letrozole work by blocking the production of estrogen in the body. This is especially helpful in postmenopausal women with estrogen-sensitive breast cancer.

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What is imatinib mesylate (Gleevec) and how does it work?

Imatinib mesylate, also known as Gleevec, is a targeted therapy that specifically targets tyrosine kinase enzymes, which are often overactive in certain cancers. This drug blocks the signal transduction pathways these enzymes use to encourage uncontrolled cell growth.

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What are targeted therapies?

Targeted therapies are a type of cancer treatment that specifically target certain molecules or pathways involved in cancer growth. These therapies work by blocking the signals that tell cancer cells to grow and divide.

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What are oncogenes?

Oncogenes are genes that promote cell growth and division. When mutated, they can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and contribute to cancer development.

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Study Notes

Tumour Suppressor Genes

  • Encode proteins that negatively regulate the cell cycle and positively regulate apoptosis
  • Mutations in tumour suppressor genes lead to loss of function and therefore increased cell proliferation
  • Mutations in tumour suppressor genes are recessive
  • Functions:
    • affect differentiation
    • control cell to cell contact
    • growth inhibitory factors
    • interact/ inhibit oncogenes
    • regulate transcription

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Description

This quiz focuses on tumour suppressor genes and their essential roles in regulating the cell cycle and apoptosis. It delves into the consequences of mutations, their functions in growth inhibition, and interactions with oncogenes. Test your knowledge on the critical aspects of these genes and their importance in cellular regulation.

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