Week 1 Genetics Flashcards
Describe transcription and translation
Transcription (takes places in nucleus) DNA copied into pre- mRNA by RNA polymerase pre-mRNA gets spliced. Exons remain, introns get taken out. Forms mature RNA Translation (takes place in cytoplasm) tRNA has an anticodon which binds specifically to mRNA codon in ribosomes. The other end of tRNA has amino acid, so eventually forms polypeptide methionine – first amino acid
What capabilities must cell have to become cancerous?
- Avoid apoptosis - Proliferative signalling - Avoid replicative senescence (normal cells have limit of amount of times they can divide) - insensitivity to anti-growth signalling
Chance of daughter getting breast cancer of mum has br Ca
50% risk of inheriting it 80% risk of having breast cancer if you inherited gene Overall chance: 50%x80% = 40%
What is a tumour suppressor gene?
Inhibit progression through cell cycle (e.g. RB) Promote apoptosis (e.g. BAX) Act as stability genes (minimised genetic alterations e.g. BRACA1/2) Mutations cause loss of function Need to lose 2 copies for tumourigenic effect (2 hit hypothesis - require 2nd hit after the inheritance of one inactivated gene) Usually AD with incomplete penetrance
What is a proto-oncogene?
Stimulates cell cycle Mutations cause gain of function - forms oncogene One mutated copy forms tumourogenic effect Mutations in them not usually inherited, except e.g. RET causes condition MEN2
Complete penetrance vs Incomplete penetrance
Complete - inherited mutated gene and develop disorder Incomplete - inherited mutated gene but don’t develop disorder
Why does the same gene cause variable phenotype in people?
Environment Modifier genes (affects severity and penetrance e.g. FGFR2 in BRACA2) Gonadal mosaicism
What is gonadal mosaicism?
Mosaicism: Genetic abnormality that occurs after fertilisation, during mitosis. Causes individual to have a normal cell line and a genetically abnormal cell line. So some of the individual’s cells may show phenotype e.g. segmental neurofibromatosis type 1 Gonadal mocaisim: genetic abnormality only in some germ cells. So can be healthy individual but pass on to their children e.g. DMD
Autosomal dominant conditions
Achondroplasia NF1 neurofibromatosis) Myotonic dystrophy
Autosomal dominant inheritance pattern
Vertical inheritance Male to male transmission (as mutation not just in X chromosome so not X-linked) Affects female and males
If both parents have a AR condition, what are the chances of their children inheriting it?
75% carriers 25% healthy 25% affected
Examples of autosomal recessive conditions
Sickle cell CF SMA Congenital adrenal hyperplasia Phenylketonuria
Autosomal recessive inheritance pattern
Horizontal inheritance Both females and males affected May be consanguinity in family
Differences in AD vs AR
AD Vertical pedigree Disease expressed in heterozygotes Offspring usually 50% chance affected Variable expressitivity May have incomplete penetrance AR Horizontal pedigree Disease expressed in homozygotes (2 mutant alleles) Offspring usually low risk of being affected Expressitivity more constant in family Consanguinity important Both females and males affected in both
X-linked recessive conditions
Duchenne muscular dystrophy Fragile X syndrome
X-linked recessive pattern
Knight’s move No male to male transmission Mostly/only males affected Manifesting carriers - due to skewed X-linked inactivation (when one of X chromosomes in female are switched off. So if good copy switched off, bad copy is active)
Proportion of children with the condition, if mother/father has X linked recessive condition
Carrier mother - 50% sons affected - 50% daughters carriers Carrier father - No sons affected (as Y chromosome passed on) - All daughters carriers
X linked dominant conditions
Vit D resistance rickets Rett syndrome
X linked dominant pattern
Vertical inheritance No male to male transmission If father affected - all daughters affected If mother affected - 50% daughters affected
X linked rec vs. X linked dom
Both no male to male transmission X linked recessive Knights move If father affected: all daughters carrier, no males affected If mother affected: 50% daughters carrier, 50% males affected Affects more males than females X linked dom Vertical transmission If father affected: all daughter affected, no males affected If mother affected: 50% daughters affected, 50% males affected Affects females:males 2:1
How lovely is John?
Really lovely
How good looking is John?
Unbelievably
Is John probably the best looking guy?
Yes
Should I buy John lots of presents?
Yes
Should I buy John Coffee daily?
Yes
Should I be nasty to John?
No.
Out of 10 how great is John?
11/10
What are stability genes?
Type of tumour supressor gene Minimises genetic alterations Account of commonest hereditary cancer predispositions e.g. BRACA1, BRACA2
Difference between sporadic and familial cancer
Sporadic: Common Late onset Single primary tumour Familial: Uncommon Early onset Multiple primaries
How are most common cancer predisposition syndromes inherited?
Autosomal dominant Most due to inheriting tumour supressor gene - Involves Knudson’s 2 hit hypothesis: first mutation inherited, then 2nd mutation would lead to cancer