240108 Flashcards
There is evidence that MRPL13 might be one of the potential mitochondrial ribosomal proteins
(MRP) candidates that are involved in breast tumorigenesis, but its role in breast cancer has
rarely been reported.
A. What type of preliminary experimental evidence would support your initial hypothesis
that the gene MRPL13 is involved in breast cancer progression? Provide at least three
examples of experimental evidence and briefly describe the methodological procedure.
There is evidence that MRPL13 might be one of the potential mitochondrial ribosomal proteins
(MRP) candidates that are involved in breast tumorigenesis, but its role in breast cancer has
rarely been reported.
B. Additionally, the MRPL13 was overexpressed in the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line and
the cell cycle studied. The cell cycle results as well as quantification of the cell cycle
results are shown below (Figure 1 A&B). Please answer the associated questions:
i. What should be the X- and Y-axis label?
ii. What were the cells labeled with to conduct the analysis shown in Figure 1?
iii. Which of the regions (1, 2, 3) indicate cells with 4N amount of DNA?
iv. Describe the effect of overexpressing MRPL13 on the cell cycle.
Figure 2 presents a model of carcinogenesis. Describe the presented model of carcinogenesis
and use it to illustrate the difference between the hereditary and sporadic form of cancer.
Genomic instability is inherent to most cancers and is crucial for tumour progression. Using
PARP inhibitors as an example discuss how our understanding of molecular events that
contribute to this key cancer feature has led to novel therapeutic strategies and when the PARP
inhibitors are most effective.
Figure 3 presents a chemical modification of a cytosine. Describe the mechanism of this
process, subcellular occurrence as well as role of this process in cancer diagnostics.
Explain the difference between the direct action and indirect action of ionizing radiation. What
are the two main types of radiation therapy used in cancer treatment?
Describe correlation between cancer stem cells (CSC) and circulating tumor cells (CTC). How
and where are the CTC detected in a patient? What is the therapeutic implication of CTC?
List and shortly describe at least four immune parameters that can serve as biomarkers in
cancer.
A. Describe three different cellular assays used to study apoptosis in cancer
B. Describe briefly three non-apoptotic forms of cell death in cancer.
Give example of two oncogenes and contrast the normal function of the protein encoded by the
gene as compared to the action of the form altered in cancer.
List and briefly describe four different mechanisms of actions of the chemotherapy agents used
in cancer treatment and provide at least one example of the drug that belongs to each group.
