Molecular Biology of Neoplasias Flashcards
Most cells in the human body are in what phase of mitosis?
G0 (quiescent/not dividing)
What is the molecular etiology of neoplasia?
Genetic mutation
All gene mutations cause cancer (TRUE/FALSE)?
FALSE
What are genetic mutations?
Alterations in nuclear DNA sequences
Most mutations are repaired (TRUE/FALSE)?
TRUE
What non-repaired genes will give rise to neoplasia?
Genes that control cell growth, division, and differentiation
What are examples of DNA mutations?
Point mutations
Chromosomal translocation
Gene amplification
What is the minimum range of mutations that must occur for a cancer to manifest?
6-12 mutations
What is a DNA point mutation?
Changes in DNA affecting just one nucleotide causing a specific “base-pair” mismatch
What is chromosomal translocation?
When genetic material is swapped with another chromosome and genes are added or removed
What is gene amplification?
When a promoter sequence causes overexpression of growth factor genes or gene duplication occurs via virus infection
What are examples of environmental mutagens that can cause a genetic mutation?
Chemical carcinogens
Radiation
Dietary carcinogens
Tobacco smoke
What are the two primary examples of genetic mutations arising from normal cell metabolism?
Free radical-induced mutations
Spontaneous errors in DNA replication & repair
Neoplasms are the result of ____ genetic damage that is acquired or inherited?
Non-lethal
What normal regulatory genes are principal targets of genetic damage?
Proto-oncogenes (growth promoting genes)
Anti-oncogenes (growth inhibiting or cancer suppressor genes)
Genes regulating apoptosis
Genes regulating DNA repair
What is the “gas pedal” gene for mitosis?
Proto-oncogenes
What is the “brake pedal” gene for mitosis?
Anti-oncogenes
What are anti-oncogenes also known as?
Cancer suppressor or growth-inhibiting genes
oncogenes encode proteins called ____, which resemble normal products of ____
onco-proteins
proto-oncogenes
name 2 differences between onco-proteins and products of proto-oncogenes
- onco-proteins do not have important regulatory functions
- onco-protein production in transformed cell does not depend on growth factors or other external signals
If a prefix is given to a proto-oncogene it is considered oncogenic (TRUE/FALSE)?
TRUE
What does the prefix “V” indicate in front of a gene?
Viral mutation etiology
What does the prefix “C” indicate in front of a gene?
Cellular mutation etiology
What gene codes for platelet derived growth factor (PDGF)?
Sis
What are examples of genes that code for receptors?
Ret
Erb
Her2/neu
What gene codes for the estrogen receptor?
Her2/neu
What is an example of a gene that codes for G proteins?
Ras
What do G proteins require for movement?
GTP
What proteins trigger mitosis?
Nuclear regulatory proteins
What are examples of genes that code for nuclear regulatory proteins?
Myc
Jun
Fos
Mutation of proto-oncogenes all have different effects based on what is mutated (TRUE/FALSE)?
FALSE (result in cell division)
What are oncogenes?
Mutations of naturally occurring proto-oncogenes that promote neoplastic growth
What are Proto-oncogenes?
Cellular genes that promote normal growth and differentiation and are the gas pedal for mitosis
Name 4 classes of oncogenes
Growth factors
Growth factor receptors
Signal transduction proteins
Nuclear regulatory proteins
What results from mutations of genes that code for growth factors?
renders protein products oncogenic either by overexpression or increased binding capacity