0
Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that carry out several functions: * slow down cell division * repair mistakes made when DNA is being replicated * tell cells when to die (a process known as apoptosis or programmed cell death) A mutation in a tumor suppressor gene allows cells to grow out of control, which can lead to cancer ie the growth of a tumor. About 30 tumor suppressor genes have been identified, including p53, BRCA1, BRCA2, APC, and RB1. A good analogy for tumor suppressor genes is the brake pedal on a car - it normally keeps the cell from dividing too quickly just as a brake keeps a car from going too fast. If the brakes on a car fail, the car goes out of control; similarly, when something goes wrong with the gene, such as a mutation, cell division can get out of control. See: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_1_4x_oncogenes_and_tumor_suppressor_genes.asp http://envirocancer.cornell.edu/FactSheet/Genetics/fs6.TSgenes.cfm http://www.cancerquest.org/index.cfm?page=52
Still curious? Ask our experts.
Chat with our AI personalities
Judy
Ross
ProfessorTumor suppressor genes are genes that normally help control cell growth and prevent the development of tumors. Mutations in these genes can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and cancer. Oncogenes, on the other hand, are genes that, when mutated or activated, can promote cell growth and lead to cancer development. Both types of genes play key roles in cancer development and progression.
Tumor suppressor and oncogenes are two very important types of genes, deeply involved in cancer. First a tumor suppressor gene, is a gene, that helps to prevent cancer, by coding for the self-desturction of a cell, when the cells are damaged or something malfunctions, they destroy the cell. These genes also help to repress the cell cycle and help it from running awry. On the other hand an oncogene, is a mutated proto-oncogene, these proto-oncogenes, are responsible for controlling the cell cycle and when they mutate into oncogenes, they code for the cell to divide at a far accelerated pace, leading to a cancerous tumor.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What is the difference between a tumor suppressor gene and an oncogene?
Tumor suppressor genes help control cell growth and prevent cancer, acting as brakes on cell division. Oncogenes, on the other hand, promote cell growth and division when mutated, leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation and potentially cancer development. In summary, tumor suppressor genes prevent cancer while oncogenes promote cancer.
What is a malignant gene?
A malignant gene is a gene that has mutated and is involved in promoting cancer growth and progression. These genes can be oncogenes, which promote cell proliferation, or tumor suppressor genes, which normally inhibit cell growth but are inactivated in cancer.
What two types of defects does a cancerous cell possess?
Cancerous cells can have both genetic defects, such as mutations in key oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes, and functional defects, such as uncontrolled proliferation and evasion of cell death mechanisms. These defects allow cancer cells to grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body.
What effect does oncogenes have on cells?
Oncogenes are genes that have the potential to cause cancer. When mutated or overexpressed, they can drive uncontrolled cell growth, inhibit cell death, and promote tumor formation. Oncogenes can disrupt normal cell signaling pathways, leading to cellular dysfunction and ultimately cancer development.
The genes that handle proteins necessary for cell division are?
Genes such as cyclins, cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), and tumor suppressor genes like p53 play essential roles in regulating the proteins necessary for cell division. These genes ensure that the cell cycle progresses accurately by controlling checkpoints and cell division processes. Mutations in these genes can lead to uncontrolled cell division and contribute to conditions like cancer.
