LG4.15 Molecular Biology of Cancer – Dr. Olson

Question 1

I see a patient that has cystic fibrosis, but his symptoms are mild, with limited lung involvement, and does not currently need medication. This is a good example of:

a) Penetrance
b) Expressivity
c) Allelic heterogeneity
d) Locus heterogeneity

Answer 1

Expressivity

Question 2

I am sequencing a cDNA library that I subcloned from a subject with schizophrenia. When comparing it to the HUGO database, I see that there are 4 polymorphisms spread across 2 separate chromosomes that are candidates for primary disease causation. This might be:
A) Penetrance
B) Expressivity
C) Allelic heterogeneity
D) Locus heterogeneity

Answer 2

D) Locus heterogeneity

Question 3

I have a patient for schizophrenia, and both parents exhibit symptoms. He has three siblings that show signs, but a fourth sibling does not show it. What could be going on here? 
A) Expressivity
B) Penetrance
C) Allelic heterogeneity
B) Locus heterogeneity

Answer 3

A) Expressivity

B) Penetrance

Question 4

What are the two cycle checks?

Answer 4

1) G1 to S

2) G2 to M

Question 5

What class of cancer causing gene do you think retinoblastoma would fall under?

a) Oncogene
b) Tumor suppressor gene

Answer 5

Tumor suppressor gene

Question 6

I have a proto-oncogene that is regulating the cell cycle. A mutation in that gene creates a growth hormone receptor that is constitutively “on.” This mutation is a:

a) Loss of function mutation
b) Gain of function mutation
c) Dominant negative mutation

Answer 6

b) Gain of function mutation

Question 7

I have a tumor suppressor gene that needs a “two-hit” to take out. The mutation that I am creating if I need to hit both alleles to affect the phenotype is a:

a) Loss of function mutation
b) Gain of function mutation
c) Dominant negative mutation

Answer 7

a) Loss of function mutation

Question 8

If a oncogene can create an oncogenic state by mutating one copy of a proto-oncogene, the oncogene is probably going to be a ____ mutation to the proto-oncogene.

1) Dominant
2) Recessive
3) Co-dominant
4) Partial dominant

Answer 8

Dominant

Question 9

A tumor suppressor that needs a “two-hit” would classify the mutated allele as being a ____ mutation.

1) Dominant
2) Recessive
3) Co-dominant
4) Partial dominant

Answer 9

B) Recessive

Question 10

What is Senescence?

Answer 10

– irreversible state of dormancy

Question 11

What is the best cancer therapy?

Answer 11

Assassinate: immune system boosters