Checkpoint controls I Flashcards
What is growth and division regulated by?
Progression through the cell cycle
What does the genetic material of 2 daughter cells depend upon?
What do defects in these cause?
The PRECISE execution of 2 processes:
1) Faithful REPLICATION of a cell’s genome in S phase
2) The proper ALLOCATION of the resulting duplicated DNAs to a daughter cell during M phase
Defects = cancer
What is the function of a checkpoint in the cell cycle?
Surveillance/monitoring mechanisms which monitor each step of cell cycle progression
When can/can’t cells progress through the cell cycle?
Can progress:
- ONLY if the pre-requisite step has been completed successfully
If not - cells cannot progress until the problems have been addressed
What happens if the problems which are causing the cell cycle to halt cannot be repaired?
The cell undergoes APOPTOSIS
Describe the G1/S phase checkpoint
Cell will not be permitted to enter S phase if the genome is in need of repair
Describe the intra-S phase checkpoint
DNA replication paused in response to DNA damage, allowing DNA to be repaired
Why can S phase increase in time?
Time taken for the DNA to undergo DNA repair (S phase pauses in response to DNA damage
Describe the G2/M checkpoint?
A cell will NOT proceed through this checkpoint until DNA REPLICATION has been completed
OR
There is DNA damage
Describe the spindle assembly checkpoint?
The metaphase/anaphase checkpoint:
- Cell is not permitted to enter anaphase until all of the chromosomes are properly assembled on the mitotic spindle DURING METAPHASE
What happens if the chromosomes are incorrectly assembled on the mitotic spindle?
Daughter cells could have 2 different genomes
Leads to the ACCUMULATION of mutations that could lead to the formation of cancer
How do cancer cells behave differently to normal cells at checkpoints?
In normal cells, if there is DNA damage - the cells fail to progress through the cell cycle and don’t proliferate
In cancer cells - LOTS of DNA damage but STILL continue to PROLIFERATE
What mutations must occur in cancer cells so that they can go through the cell cycle?
INACTIVATION of one or more checkpoint controls
In addition to acquiring oncogenes and inactivated TSGs
What is the R point essential for?
At the end of G1 - in order for the cells to make a decision if to proliferate or become quiescent
What is pRb?
A nuclear PHOSPHOprotein that is ABSENT or in a DEFECTIVE form in many tumours
What is the molecular governor of the R point?
How?
Rb (Retinoblastoma protein)
- pRb undergoes PHOSPHORYLATION at the SAME time as the advance of cells through the cell cycle
- Hyperphosphorylation of pRb inactivates the protein and allows the advance through the cell cycle
What happens when pRb is active?
PREVENTS the cells from going through the R point and the rest of the cell cycle
When is pRb activate?
When pRb is unphosphorylated or hypophosphorylated
When is pRb inactive?
When INACTIVATED
What is pRb phosphorylation governed by?
The components of the cell cycle