Week 1 - Introduction to Oncogenes and Cancer

Question 1

What did Peyton Rous discover in 1910?

BONUS What did he discover it in?

Answer 1

Sarcoma Virus

BONUS - Chickens

Question 2

Describe the Virus lifecycle (SIMPLE).

Answer 2

1. Virion enters cell
2. Dissociation of Virion protein coat and release of Viral DNA
   3a. Replication of viral DNA - production of viral DNA
   3b. Trancription of viral DNA - production of coat protein
3. Formation of Virion
4. Assembly of Progeny - viral exit from cell.

Question 3

Name the 3 characteristics of Retroviruses

Answer 3

1. They have an RNA genome
2. Replicate via DNA intermediate
3. Integrate into Host Genome (Provirus)

Question 4

Name the 3 main genes in Retroviral genomes and the proteins they produce.

Answer 4

gag - Core Proteins
pol - Reverse Transcriptase
env - Envelope Protein

Question 5

Describe Retroviral multiplication.

Answer 5

1. Retrovirus enters cell
2. Virion unpackages releasing Viral RNA
3. Retroviral Reverse Transcription - Viral RNA to Viral DNA
4. Viral DNA integration into Host Genome - Now known as Provirus
   5a. Transcription - resulting in Retroviral Genomic RNA production
   5b. Transcription - resulting in mRNA production - Translation produces viral proteins which go to produce Viral Glycoproteins (found on the outside of the retrovirus)
5. Virus released by budding

Question 6

What does MMuLV stand for and what does it cause?

Answer 6

Moloney murine leukaemia virus (MMuLV)
– Chronic transforming retrovirus
– Mice develop leukaemia after many months of infection

Question 7

What does AMuLV stand for and what is its relationship with MMuLV?

Answer 7

Abelson murine leukaemia virus (MMuLV)

Dr Abelson repeatedly passaged MMuLV through
mice
– Eventually isolated an acute transforming retrovirus
– Mice develop leukaemia within a few weeks

Question 8

What does LTR stand for?

Answer 8

Long Tandem Repeats

Question 9

What is the use of the LTR region?

Answer 9

LTR region used by retroviruses to insert their DNA into the host genome.

Question 10

Name 6 risk factors of Cancer.

Answer 10

• (Increasing) Age
• Chemical factors
• Physical factors
• Viral factors
• Hormonal factors
• Genetics

Question 11

What is the genetic cause of CML?

Answer 11

Philadelphia Chromosome

Balanced Translocation between chromosome 9 and 22

Question 12

What does the HER2 gene code for?

Answer 12

Part of the epidermal growth factor receptor

Question 13

Name the drug used to target HER2.

Answer 13

Herceptin

Question 14

What is Herceptin?

Answer 14

Monoclonal Antibody designed to target the HER2, binding and inhibiting its activity.

Question 15

What condition is Herceptin used for?

Answer 15

HER2 positive breast cancer