Cancer genetics Flashcards
What is tumour heterogenity?
Different tumour cells can show distinct morphological and phenotypic profiles.
What are passenger mutations?
Mutations that don’t drive cancer initiation or cancer progression.
What are driver mutations?
Mutations that driver cancer initiation and progression.
What are cancer risk genes?
Genes in which driver mutations can happen. These genes normally correct DNA damage that naturally happens when a cell divides.
What are the two classes of genes where driver mutations can take place?
Proto-oncogene and tumour supressor genes.
What are proto-oncogenes?
Genes that produce proteins that promote cell growth and cell proliferation.
What are tumour suppressor genes?
Genes that produce proteins that limit cell growth and proliferation.
If a driver mutation occurs in a proto-oncogene what is that gene called?
An oncogene.
What is the knudson hypothesis?
Both alleles for tumour suppressor gene need to be inactivated for phenotypic change.
What are senescent cells?
Senescent cells are unique in that they eventually stop multiplying but don’t die off when they should.
What are germline mutations?
Mutation in reproductive cells. Passed onto offspring.
What are somatic mutations?
Mutation is any cell of the body apart from germ cells. Not passed onto offspring.
A mutation in BRCA gene increases your risk of what?
Breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Prostate cancer in men.
What kind of gene is BRCA?
Tumour supressor gene.
