EMS Flashcards
TSG in retinoblastoma
RB1 - retinoblastoma
TSG in Li Fraumeni
TP53- sarcomas, breast tumour
TSG in familial adenomatous polyposis
APC- colorectal tumours
Caretaker gene mutation in familial breast cancer
BRCA1 BRCA 2- breast and ovarian tumours
Caretaker gene mutation in HNPCC
hMLH1, hMSH2 (mismatch repair genes) - colon, endometrial cancer
What are proto-oncogenes
Promote cell proliferation, survival, angiogenesis and negative regulation of apoptosis
What is an oncogene
Activated mutated versions/increased expression of proto-oncogenes (caused by carcinogens), which causes their products to have increased/uncontrolled activity
How many mutational hits does an oncogene need to be activated
Only 1 copy of the gene needs to be activated to induce a gain of function. This mutated gene is therefore said to be dominant to the remaining normal parental gene
Mechanisms of oncogene activation
- Translocation of an oncogene from a low transcriptionally active site to an active site
- Point mutation - alters the amino acid sequence and production of an oncoprotein causing it to be hyperactive
- Amplification by insertion of multiple copies of an oncogene
- Insertion of a promoter or enhancing gene (by retroviruses) near an oncogene
What is RAS oncogene
Cytoplasmic messenger. Activated by point mutation making it permanently active, allowing cell proliferation independent of GF
What is HER2 oncogene
Growth factor receptor. Activated by gene amplification allowing cell proliferation independent of GF
What is PI3K oncogene
Bladder cancer. cytoplasmic messenger. Activated by a point mutation making it permanently activated, allowing cell proliferation independent of GF
Tumour Suppressor Genes
negative regulators of cell growth/survival, positive regulator of apoptosis.
- Caretakers- maintain genetic stability
- Gatekeepers- antioncogenes
Inactivating TSGs
Both copies (2 hit) of a TSG have to be mutational or epigenetically inactivated for complete loss of function as the normal version is capable of doing the job of two genes
Inherited TSG mutations in familial cancer
If inherited TSG with mutated/absent allele then only need 1 hit/loss of gene in any cell to induce tumour e.g. bilateral retinoblastoma
How many genetic alterations needed to transform a normal cell into a neoplastic cell
Minimum of 3 genetic alterations :
- Telomerase expression- cell immortality
- Inactivation of TSG- removal of growth inhibition
- Activation of oncogene- autocrine growth stimulation
Inactivating Rb growth factor
A key regulator of cell cycle by preventing progression from G1 to S phase (activated by negative GFs)
Inactivation of Rb gene is common event in tumours and results in resistance to -ve growth regulation
What is TP53
TP53 induces cell cycle arrest to allow repair of DNA damage by caretaker genes, But also induces apoptosis if too much damage
TP53 inactivation leading to loss of apoptotic response is the most common genetic abnormality in human tumours (> 50% of tumours)
How do tumours invade the basement membrane
Epithelial cells are held tightly together by adhesion molecule E-cadherin
Many tumours show loss of E-cadherin through mutation/hypermethylation of the gene
Results in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) – these mesenchymal cells are motile, secrete proteases, which allows them to break through basement membrane
5 Features of poor differentiation
- Pleomorphism- variability in shape/size
- Tumour giant cells
- Abnormal nuclear features- high nucleus:cytoplasm ratio,, clumped chromatin, prominent nucleoli
- Increased mitotic activity
- Loss of cell polarity/order
What are the 3 main types of carcinogens
- Genotoxic/Initiators- can chemically modify or damage DNA
- Non-genotoxic/Promoters- induce proliferation and DNA replication
- Complete- carcinogens can initiate and promote e.g. UV light
2 methods of metabolically activating carcinogens
- Direct acting: interact directly with DNA, e.g. oxygen radicals, nitrosomines, UV light
- Procarcinogens: require enzymatic (metabolic) activation before they react with DNA, e.g. aromatic amines, PAHs (benzopyrene -> BPDE ultimate carcinogen)
Repair process affected in inherited Xeroderma Pigmentosa
NER (nucleotide excision repair) - leading to skin cancer
Repair process affected in inherited Ataxia Telangiectasia
ATM gene defect affecting Recombinational repair (HR, EJ) - leading to acute lymphocytic leukaemia or lymphoma in children and solid tumours in adults.
Repair process affected in inherited HNPCC
Mismatch repair (MLH, MSH) - leading to colorectal, ovarian, endometrial cancers
Main carcinogens in tobacco smoke (approx 19)
- PAHs e.g. benzopyrene which is converted in vitro to BPDE
- Acrolein- potent direct-acting mutagen
- Nitrosamines- alkylating agents of bases of DNA changing coding properties
- Radioactive lead and polonium
- Heavy metals - cadmium, chromium, nickel
Carcinogenic effects of alcohol
- converted into acetaldehyde (mutagen not that potent)- can cause DNA damage
- Increases levels of oestrogen and testosterone
- increases uptake of carcinogenic chemicals into cells within the upper GI e.g. benzopyrene
- reduces levels of folate, needed for accurate DNA replication
- can kill surface epithelium leading to unscheduled proliferation
Dietary genotoxins (mainly linked to GI cancers)
- Nitrosamines- Reaction of nitrites with amino acids
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)- Combustion of organic material e.g. burnt toast, BBQ meat
- Heterocyclic amines- Proteins heated to high temperatures
Viral carcinogens
- HPV (cervix) - inhibits the activity of proteins encoded by tumour suppressor genes
- HBV/HCV (liver)
- Epstein-Barr virus (Burkitt’s lymphoma, nasopharyngeal)
Cancer caused by Helicobacter Pylori
Gastric cancer- H Pylori inhibits the activity of proteins encoded by tumour suppressor genes
Cancer caused by Schistosoma haematobium (parasite)
Bladder Cancer
How does HPV cause cervical cancer (HPV16, HPV18)
HPV expresses two oncoproteins, E6 & E7, that suppress two cellular TSGs, p53 (initiates apoptosis) & rb (halts cell cycle before s phase)
Results in abnormal proliferation and inhibition of apoptosis in affected stem cell
How is obesity linked to cancer
- fat tissues in overweight people produce oestrogen and insulin
- protective factors may be missing from unhealthy diets
- Eating more meat etc
How does chronic inflammation cause cancer
Inflammatory response is a “complete” carcinogen i.e results in double whammy:
DNA damage from release of free radicals by immune cells - initiation
Growth factor induced cell division to repair tissue damage - promotion
e.g. Gallbladder carcinoma associated with gallstones
What are Tumour Associated Macrophages (TAMs)
The link between inflammation and cancer.
These cells are recruited by cytokines released by tumour cells and produce tumour necrosis factor- alpha (TNF-α), a cytokine that induces and maintains the inflammatory response
TAMs also release reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS) that can be genotoxic, resulting in mutation directly or indirectly through stimulating proliferative regeneration
ROS secreted by TAMs and tumour cells can also induce fibroblasts to undergo autophagy, which releases important nutrients that tumour cells can “feed” on