13.S: Cancer Genetics (Summary)
- Cancer is the name given to a class of different diseases that share common properties.
- Most cancers require accumulation of mutations in several different genes.
- Most cancer causing mutations are sporadic, rather than inherited, and most are caused by environmental carcinogens, including virus, radiation, and certain chemicals.
- Oncogenes are hyperactivated regulators of cell division, and are often derived from gain-of-function mutations in proto-oncogenes.
- Tumor suppressor genes normal help to repair DNA damage, arrest cell division, or to kill over proliferating cells. Loss-of-function of these genes contributes to the progression of cancer.
- Genetic research into cancer can provide enzyme targets for drug investigation and potential treatment. E.g. Gleevec™
Key Terms:
metastasis dysplasia carcinogen HPV oncogene ionizing epidemiology proto-oncogene receptor signal transduction | ras apoptosis BRC1A p53 tumor suppressor phosphorylation CML Gleevec™ bcr-abl
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Contributors
Dr. Todd Nickle and Isabelle Barrette-Ng (Mount Royal University) The content on this page is licensed under CC SA 3.0 licensing guidelines.