Cancer cells grow unchecked due to changes in two types of genes: tumor suppressors and . Tumor suppressors normally put the brakes on cell growth, while proto-oncogenes can turn into oncogenes that step on the gas.
Mutations in these genes lead to uncontrolled cell division and survival. Key players like , BRCA, and RAS regulate the cell cycle, DNA repair, and growth signaling. Understanding how they work helps explain how cancer develops.
Tumor Suppressors and Proto-Oncogenes
Functions of tumor suppressor genes
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Top images from around the web for Functions of tumor suppressor genes
Frontiers | The Interplay Between Tumor Suppressor p53 and Hypoxia Signaling Pathways in Cancer View original
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6.3 Cancer and the Cell Cycle – Concepts of Biology – 1st Canadian Edition View original
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Frontiers | Connection between Tumor Suppressor BRCA1 and PTEN in Damaged DNA Repair View original
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Frontiers | The Interplay Between Tumor Suppressor p53 and Hypoxia Signaling Pathways in Cancer View original
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6.3 Cancer and the Cell Cycle – Concepts of Biology – 1st Canadian Edition View original
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Regulate cell growth and division by inhibiting cell cycle progression (G1 to S phase)
Promote when necessary to eliminate damaged or abnormal cells
Maintain genomic stability by monitoring DNA damage and initiating repair mechanisms (p53)
Act as "gatekeepers" to prevent uncontrolled and tumor formation
Examples of include p53, , , APC, and RB1
Mutations in cancer development
Loss-of-function mutations in tumor suppressor genes result in reduced or absent tumor suppressor activity
Leads to uncontrolled cell growth and division due to lack of cell cycle regulation
Allows cells to evade apoptosis and accumulate DNA damage without proper repair
Gain-of-function mutations convert proto-oncogenes into oncogenes
Oncogenes exhibit constitutive activation or overexpression of growth-promoting proteins
Promotes excessive cell growth, proliferation, and survival even in the absence of normal growth signals
Accumulation of mutations in both tumor suppressor genes and proto-oncogenes contributes to cancer development
Enables cells to acquire hallmark characteristics of cancer such as sustained proliferation, resistance to cell death, and genomic instability
Multiple mutations are typically required for full malignant transformation (two-hit hypothesis)
Examples of cancer-related genes
p53: Mutated in various cancers including lung, breast, and
Known as the "guardian of the genome" due to its critical role in maintaining genomic stability
BRCA1 and BRCA2: Associated with hereditary breast and
Involved in DNA damage repair and maintenance of genomic integrity
APC: Mutated in familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and sporadic colorectal cancer
Regulates the Wnt signaling pathway and controls cell adhesion and migration
RAS: Mutated in pancreatic, lung, and colorectal cancer
Oncogene that transduces growth factor signals and promotes cell proliferation
MYC: Amplified or overexpressed in various cancers including and
Transcription factor that activates genes involved in cell growth, proliferation, and metabolism
Mechanisms of cell growth regulation
p53 induces cell cycle arrest or apoptosis in response to DNA damage or cellular stress
Activates p21, which inhibits cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and halts cell cycle progression
Initiates apoptosis by upregulating pro-apoptotic genes (Bax, PUMA) and downregulating anti-apoptotic genes (Bcl-2)
RB1 binds and inhibits E2F transcription factors, preventing cell cycle progression from G1 to S phase
Hypophosphorylated RB1 sequesters E2F, preventing transcription of genes required for S phase entry
Phosphorylation of RB1 by CDKs releases E2F, allowing cell cycle progression
PTEN dephosphorylates PIP3, antagonizing the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and inhibiting cell growth and survival
Loss of PTEN leads to constitutive activation of AKT, promoting cell survival and proliferation
RAS transduces growth factor signals from receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) to downstream effectors
Activates RAF-MEK-ERK and PI3K-AKT pathways, promoting cell proliferation and survival
Oncogenic mutations in RAS result in constitutive activation of these pathways
MYC transcription factor activates genes involved in cell growth, proliferation, and metabolism
Binds to promoter regions of target genes and recruits transcriptional machinery
Overexpression of MYC leads to uncontrolled cell proliferation and