Cell Cycle and Cancer Flashcards
G1 checkpoint checks for
Favorable environment and DNA damage
G2 checkpoint checks for
DNA replication complete, chromosomes intact
What cells are permanently in G0 and are unable to replicate
neurons
Senescence
decrease in the proliferative capacity with age, irreversible
If a cell can be activated by external agents to enter cell cycle, it is called
quiescent
A cell that has not committed to cell cycle “specialized resting state” is known to be in…
G0
chemotherapeutic agents target rapidly dividing cells and are only effective on tumors with a high percentage of replicating cells
cell cycle specific
Which chemotherapeutic drugs are useful against low percentage replicating cells?
b. Cell cycle non-specific
3 classes of cell cycle specific chemotherapeutics
antimetabolites, antibiotics, mitotic spindle poisons
Antimetabolites
inhibit purine or pyrimidine precursors or compete with them for incorporation into DNA/RNA. Effects S-PHASE
Examples of Antimetabolites
Methotrexate, 5-flurouracil
Methotrexate
inhibits thymidine synthesis by inhibiting regeneration of tetra-folate for normal folate metabolism – starving cells of folate
- 5-Flurouracil
irreversibly binds dUMP preventing synthesis of Thymidylate and preventing DNA biosynthesis
Anticancer antibiotics
Cell cycle specific and non-specific, but Bleomycin causes cells to accumulate in G2 PHASE
Examples of Anticancer antibiotic
Bleomycin (G2 PHASE SECIFIC)
Examples of Mitotic Spindle Poisons
Vincristine, Vinblastine (Vinca alkaloids), and Taxol
Mitotic Spindle Poisons
M-PHASE SPECIFIC: (Vinca alkaloids) block mitosis by binding to tubulin, disrupting the spindle apparatus and causing depolymerization. Taxol causes stabalization of MTs and prevents disassembly
Taxol
Mitotic Spindle Poisons - causes stabalization of MTs and prevents disassembly
Vincristine, Vinblastine (Vinca alkaloids)
Mitotic Spindle Poisons - block mitosis by binding to tubulin, disrupting the spindle apparatus and causing depolymerization
What non-malignant cells are effects by chemotherapy?
hair follicles, none marrow, GI tract epithelium
2 types of cell cycle regulation
cascade of protein phosphorylation (cyclin-CDK), checkpoints
Cyclin
cell cycle regulators that cycle due to synthesis and degradation during the cell cycle
What causes degradation of cyclin?
ubiquitin tagged proteosomal pathway
CDK
constant concentration, but enzyme activity changes throughout cell cycle
What 4 things regulate CDK
a. Association with cyclins
b. Phosphorylation at stimulatory sites
c. Phosphorylation at inhibitory sites
d. Binding to CDK inhibitors
Association of CDK-cyclin complex causes
phosphorylation of the CDK protein which is then active to add phosphate groups to its target proteins
CDK necessary for S-phase transition
CDK2, triggers DNA replication machinery
CDK necessary for M phase transition
CDK1; triggers mitosis machinery, MTs
What Cyclin-CDK complex is required for passage through R point?
Cyclin D + CDK4/6
What Cyclin-CDK complex is required for G1/S-phase transition?
Cyclin E + CDK2
What Cyclin-CDK complex is required for S/G2-phase transition?
Cyclin A + CDK2/1
What Cyclin-CDK complex is required for G2/M-phase transition?
Cyclin B + CDK1
Retinoblastoma
regulates G1 checkpoint and inhibits cell cycle
In early G1, Rb is…
underphosphorylated, which allows it to bind and “hold back” TFs required for G1/S transition
Increasing concentration of D/CDK4-6 causes..
Hyperphosphorylation of Rb, resulting in release of TFs and activation of genes necessary for S-phase