Cancer bio Flashcards
What type of kinase is mTOR?
Serine/threonine
mTOR is a downstream activation target of what pathway?
PI3K/AKT
What mediates the activity of COX2?
PGE2
COX2 produces Prostaglandin H2 (PGH2), which is converted to PGE2 by cytosolic or membrane-associated PGE-2 synthases (PGES).
PGE2 exerts its activity by acting on a group of G-protein-coupled receptors, designated subtypes EP1, EP2, EP3 and EP4.
At which point in the cell cycle is the CDK4/6-CyclinD complex active?
Early G1 - CyclinD-CDK4/6
Late G1 - CyclinE-CDK2
Early S- CyclinA-CDK2
Late S - CyclinA-CDK1
G2/M - CyclinB-CDK1
At which point in the cell cycle is the CDK2/CyclinE complex active?
Late G1
Early G1 - CyclinD-CDK4/6 Late G1 - CyclinE-CDK2 Early S- CyclinA-CDK2 Late S - CyclinA-CDK1 G2/M - CyclinB-CDK1
At which point in the cell cycle is the CDK2/CyclinA complex active?
Early S
Early G1 - CyclinD-CDK4/6 Late G1 - CyclinE-CDK2 Early S- CyclinA-CDK2 Late S - CyclinA-CDK1 G2/M - CyclinB-CDK1
At which point in the cell cycle is the CDK1/CyclinA complex active?
Late S
Early G1 - CyclinD-CDK4/6 Late G1 - CyclinE-CDK2 Early S- CyclinA-CDK2 Late S - CyclinA-CDK1 G2/M - CyclinB-CDK1
At which point in the cell cycle is the CDK1/CyclinB complex active?
G2/M
Early G1 - CyclinD-CDK4/6 Late G1 - CyclinE-CDK2 Early S- CyclinA-CDK2 Late S - CyclinA-CDK1 G2/M - CyclinB-CDK1
p15, p16, p18, and p19 inhibit which cyclin/CDK complexes?
CyclinD/CDK4/6
…thus inhibiting G1/S transition
p21, p27, and p57 inhibit which cyclin/CDK complexes?
CyclinE-CDK2 (late G1)
CyclinA-CDK2 (early S)
CyclinA-CDK1 (late S)
CyclinB-CDK1 (G2/M)
A cell is overexpressing cyclin D1, allowing continuous proliferation. How do you reverse this?
Dominant negative CDK2
Which enzyme produces siRNA?
DICER - rNAse that cleaves dsRNA into siRNA and miRNA
miRNA and siRNA both activate what cellular complex?
RISC - RNA-induced silencing complex
Where to miRNAs come from?
Introns/splice products –> DICER
Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer is associated with defects in what cellular process?
MMR
Xeroderma pigmentosum is associated with defects in what cellular process?
NER (Nucleotide excision repair)
Li fraumeni syndrome is associated with a mutation in what gene?
p53 (autosomal dominant)
Familial adenomatous polyposis is associated with a mutation in what gene?
APC (B-catenin pathway)
Fanconi anemia is associated with a mutation in what genes?
Fanc/BRKA2
Von Hippel Lindau mutation predisposes to what disease?
RCC
PARP inhibitors are effective in patients who have deficient homologous recombination, caused by mutations or loss of which genes?
BRCA1
BRCA2
PALB2
Rad51 (due to loss of PTEN)
Is MDM2 a proto-oncogene or tumor suppressor?
Proto-oncogene
MDM2 –> suppression of p53
Is WT1 a proto-oncogene or tumor suppressor?
Tumor suppressor
Mutated in hereditary nephroblastoma
Is Myc a proto-oncogene or tumor suppressor?
Proto-oncogene
c-MYC = constitutively active –> cell cycle progression, defects in apoptosis
What is the function of PTEN?
PTEN dephosphorylates PIP3–>PIP2, thus inhibiting the Ras/PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway
Is VHLi a proto-oncogene or tumor suppressor?
tumor suppressor
VHL is a ubiquitin ligase that targets Hif-1a for destruction
mutations are recessive, but LOH is common
What targets Hif-1a for destruction
VHL, a ubiquitin ligase
Which of the following carcinogenic events is reversible?
promotion
initiation
progression
Promotion = proliferation not due to genomic mutation
Initiation = genomic mutations (irreversible) Progression = accumulation of add'l mutations
True/False: Neoplasia is unlikely to develop if promotion occurs without initiation.
TRUE
Which of the following is a promoting agent?
- Croton oil
- Benzopyrine
- Sesame oil
- Radon
Croton oil
FeLV type C occurs in __?__% of cats. Which cell line is affected?
FeLV type C - <1% of cats
early erythroid precursors effective
What are the relative levels of ALDH and ABCB1 in stem cells (high or low)
High ALDH
High ABCB1
What are the characteristics of AnnexinV and propidium iodide uptake in early and late apoptosis?
Early apoptosis = AnnexinV+/PI -
Late apoptosis = AnnexinV+/PI+
In which phase of the cell cycle is propidium iodide incorporation highest?
G2/M
PI = measure of DNA content G1 = 2N G2 = 4N because DNA content is doubled during S phase
Which peak of a propidium idodie graph would be affected by taxanes?
4N/G2
PI = measure of DNA content
Peaks: G1 = 2N; G2 = 4N because DNA content is doubled during S phase
Taxane would trap cell in M phase/4N peak
What does SMAD do?
SMAD4 = effector transcription factor for TGF-B (cell cycle inhibition)
Which caspases constitute the initiator caspases?
8, 9, 10
Extrinsic = caspase 8, 10 Intrinsic = caspase 9 (cytochrome c + Apaf-1 --> apoptosome, cleaves caspase 9)
Which caspases are effector caspases?
Caspase 3, 6, 7
What forms the apoptosome, and what does it do?
Cytochrome c + Apaf-1
Cleaves caspase 9 –> activates intrinsic cascade
Name four factors that activate the extrinsic apoptotic caspase
DR5 (Death receptor 5)
Fas
TNFR
Granzyme
Following treatment with a new agent, you observe that the cells in your cell culture appear small, have condensed chromatin and membrane blebs. Are these cells undergoing apoptosis or necrosis?
Apoptosis
Following treatment with a new agent, you observe that the cells in your cell culture appear swollen, have amorphous densities visible in their mitochondria, and condensation of chromatin. Are these cells undergoing apoptosis or necrosis?
Necrosis
What are beclin-1 and p62 markers of?
Autophagy
Beclin-1 and p62 are markers of autophagy
How does Bcl produce apoptosis?
Release of cytochrome C from mitochondria
What is the MOA of CDKs?
Inactivation of growth suppressor proteins (ie Rb), allowing cell cycle to progress
**only active when paired with cyclins
High monocyte counts and high serum CCL2 (a monocyte chemokine) have been associated with what impact on prognosis in a variety of cancers?
High monocyte count = WORSE prognosis
**may be due in part to monocytes’ role in allowing establishment of metastases, differentiation into metastasis-associated macrophages (MAMs), etc.
What is the impact of Patched dysfunction?
Cell proliferation
Patched is a negative regulator of Hedgehog signaling pathway; without it, Gli is cleaved to an activating transcription factor
What are the effects of increased SHH signaling?
activation of EMT, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis
What is the ligand for Frizzled and LRP receptors?
Wnt
What impact does the binding of Wnt to Frizzled or LRP have on B-catenin?
Wnt binding DECREASES B-catenin breakdown by the APC protein complex.
B-catenin acts as a major transcription factor
What impact does GSK3B have on B-catenin?
GSK3B degrades B-catenin
What family do bone morphogenic proteins belong to?
TGF-B
What roll does TGF-B play in cancer progression (ie tumor suppressor or promoter)?
BOTH
Initially exhibit suppressive effects; after malignant progression occurs TGF-B aids in evasion of immunity, EMT, and cell proliferation
Upon development of resistance to a RAF inhibitor, which of the following is the best strategy?
1) switch to MEK inhibitor
2) switch to Ras inhibitor
MEK inhibitor – this is DOWNSTREAM of RAF (Ras is upstream of RAF pathway)
Which VEGF isoform is the most potently angiogenic?
VEGF-A
Which VEGF isoforms play a role in lymphangiogenesis?
VEGF C and D
Is FGF proangiogenic or antiangiogenic?
FGFa/b = proangiogenic
Are TGF a/b proangiogenic or antiangiogenic?
Transforming Growth Factor = proangiongenic
Is TNF alpha proangiogenic or antiangiogenic?
TNF = proangiongenic
Is G-CSF proangiogenic or antiangiogenic?
G-CSF = proangiogenic
Is IL-8 proangiogenic or antiangiogenic?
IL-8 = proangiogenic
Are proliferin and leptin proangiogenic or antiangiogenic?
Proliferin and leptin = proangiogenic
What impact do extracellular matrix-derived proteins have on angiogenesis?
Anti-angiogenic (Thrombospondin, Endostatin, arrestin, troponin-1)
Are thrombospondin and troponin-1 proangiogenic or antiangiogenic?
Thrombospondin and troponin = anti-angiogenic
Is interferon alpha proangiogenic or antiangiogenic?
IFN a = antiangiogenic
Are the cytokines IL-1, IL-12, and IL-18 proangiogenic or antiangiogenic?
IL-1, IL-12, and IL-18 = antiangiogenic
Are PEDF, PDGFR, and Platelet factor 4 proangiogenic or antiangiogenic?
PEDF, Platelet factor 4 = antiangiogenic
PDGFR = antiangiogenic
Is ATIII proangiogenic or antiangiogenic?
ATIII = antiangiogenic
Are PEX and PT fragement proangiogenic or antiangiogenic?
PEX and PT fragement = antiangiogenic
Are tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases proangiogenic or antiangiogenic?
tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPS) = antiangiogenic
What impact does endostatin have on endothelial cells?
Endostatin –> endothelial cell apoptosis
Blocks bFGF and VEGF
What happens to concentrations of endostatin and VEGF as dogs age?
Endostatin and VEGF decrease as dogs age
What is the receptor for thrombospondin, and what does binding result in?
CD36 = receptor for thrombospondin
Binding elicits release of Fas-L from endothelium
Name PET-CT markers for hypoxia
18F-FDG 18F-FMISO 18F-FAZA 64Cu-ATSM nitroimidazoles Carbonic anhydrase IX
How is FDG transported in to the cell, and why does it accumulate intracellularly?
Transported by GLUT1
Irreversibly phosphorylated by hexokinase II
What tissues are dark on T1 MRI?
air, bone, and water are dark on T1
Fat is white
What tissues are dark on T2 MRI?
air, bone, and fat are dark on T2 (water white)
Gadolinium MRI contrast agent primarily increases signal on which sequence?
T1
What appearance (hypoechoic or hyperechoic) is typical of malignant lesions with contrast harmonic ultrasound?
Hypoechoic
Prolonged treatment of feline SCC in vitro leads to what phenotypic change?
EMT
What is the mechanism of hypercalcemia in multiple myeloma?
RANKL-induced osteoclast activation
In which canine disease has Myc-IgH translocation been cytogenetically identified?
Lymphoma
Which HDAC inhibitor potentiates doxorubicin chemosensitivity in dogs with OSA?
Valproic acid
In which type of radiation side effect (acute or chronic) is overall treatment time important?
Acute
Late responding tissues have a (high or low) alpha/beta ratio?
Low a/b ratio
What does the TUNEL assay detect?
DNA fragmentation via detection of dsDNA breaks
Indicates late stages of apoptosis
Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) dUTP Nick-End Labelling - TdT labels blunt ends of dsDNA breaks
At what temperature are the enzymes used in PCR active?
162F - NOT active at room temperature
Taq polymerase is isolated from a thermophilic bacterial species and thus resistant to denaturation at high temperatures
What cellular feature does the beta component of RT survival curve represent?
Cell repair mechanisms/repairable DNA damage
What is the main mechanism of cellular damage following ionizing radiation?
Radiolysis of water –> free radicals
What percentage of DNA damage caused by photon irradiation results from direct damage to the DNA?
~30%
What is the most radiosensitive phase of the cell cycle?
G2/M
What is unique about neutrons and alpha particles?
neutrons and alpha particles = high LET
How does gemcitabine act as a radiosensitizer?
Inhibition of RNR and DNApol
Depletion of dATP pools
Redistribution/Elimination of radio-resistant S-phase cells
Lowering apoptotic threshold
Which of the following genes are considered metastasis suppressors?
MEK, MKK4, KISS, NME, BrMS1
MKK4, KISS, NME, BrMS1 = metastasis suppressors
MEK = metastasis stimulator
Name 4 transcription factors that induce EMT.
Snail, Slug, Twist, ZEB1
Name two biological molecules that inhibit MMPs?
TIMPs
alpha2 macroglobulins
What drugs inhibit MMPs?
doxycycline
chelators
hydroxamate inhibitors
Name 3 ways to assess tumor metabolism?
PET-CT
Gene expression array
RT-PCR
What impact does TGF-B signaling have in regards to EMT?
TGF-B signaling is a potent inducer of EMT
ZEB1, Snail, Slug, and Twist result in downregulation of what 4 classes of cell surface proteins?
cadherins, occluding, claudin, and desmoplakin
Name 5 pathways that act as extrinsic activators of EMT.
Wnt Hedgehog Notch NFkB TGF-B
What impact do Wnt and Hedgehog signaling have on Snail expression?
Increased expression of Snail –> downregulation of E-cadherin –> EMT
Describe the role of TGF-B in early tumorogenesis and late stages of tumor progression.
TGF-B acts as a tumor suppressor in early tumorogenesis and a metastatic promoter in late stages of tumor progression
TGF-B induces Smad signaling. What does Smad signaling promote?
EMT/ repression of E-cadherin
Smad2 and Smad3 bind with co- smad (Smad4) and this complex binds transcription factors like ZEB to repress E-cadherin during EMT
What does the loss of E-cadherin expression imply?
EMT
What role does B-catenin play in cell anchoring?
binds E-cadherin and α-catenin to the actin cytoskeleton