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19.6: Disruption of the Cell Cycle Checkpoints Can Cause Cancer

  • Page ID
    89036
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    As we’ve noted, cycling cells continue to divide until they attain \(\rm G_0\) in the terminally differentiated state. Most terminally differentiated cells are cleared by apoptosis when they reach the end of their effective lives, to be replaced by stem cells. We also noted that accidental signaling can bring cells out of \(\rm G_0\), leading to renewed cell proliferation. Even though such cells are abnormal, their defects may not be detected by apoptotic defense mechanisms. As a result, they undergo uncontrolled cell divisions, becoming cancer cells. Likewise, if a checkpoint fails or if a cell suffers physical damage to chromosomes during cell division, or if it suffers a debilitating somatic mutation in a prior S phase, it may self-destruct in response to a consequent biochemical anomaly. This is another example of apoptosis. But if a physically damaged or mutated cell should escape apoptotic clearance, it too may begin replication and proliferation, producing cancer cells. Apoptotic clearance and uncontrolled cancer-cell proliferation are compared in Figure 19.17 (below).

    Screen Shot 2022-05-26 at 9.32.26 AM.png

    19.17: Results of noncancer-cell divisions, in which abnormal cells are targeted for apoptosis (left), and cancer-cell division, in which damaged or altered cells escape apoptotic controls (right).

    346-2 Regulating Cell Death - Apoptosis vs Necrosis


    This page titled 19.6: Disruption of the Cell Cycle Checkpoints Can Cause Cancer is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Gerald Bergtrom.

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