Cancer-promoting mutations are likely to have different effects on the activity of proteins encoded by protooncogenes than they do on proteins encoded by tumour suppressor genes. Explain.

Short Answer

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Cancer-causing mutation makes the protooncogenes overactive. In the tumor suppressor gene, cancer-causing mutation makes the gene non-functional.

Step by step solution

01

Definition of cancer

Cancer is the uncontrolled proliferation of cells resulting in the accumulation of cell mass known as a tumor. Cancer loses control over the cell cycle regulation and normal activity of the cell. Cancer can migrate from the site of infection to secondary sites.

02

Step 2: Cancer-causing mutation

The mutation is the change that occurs at the genetic level that results in harmful effects on the living organism. Mutation occurring in the gene's coding region may result in cancer formation, known as cancer-causing mutation.

03

Effect of mutation of protooncogenes and tumor suppressor genes

Protooncogenes are normal genes present in the body. The mutation in this type of gene can convert it into an oncogene. An oncogene is the cancerous form of protooncogene. Cancer formation occurs due to the overactivation of protooncogene that loses control over gene expression.

Tumor suppressor genes are the genes that work over cell division, repair mechanism, and cell apoptosis. When a mutation occurs in this, it can suppress the activity of the tumor suppressor gene that becomes non-functional.

Hence, the mutation of protooncogene results in its overactivation. The mutation of the tumor suppressor gene results in the non-functional gene product.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

The flashlight fish has an organ under its eyethat emits light, which servers to startle predators and attract prey, and allows the fish to communicate with other fish. Some species can rotate the organ inside and then out, so the light appears to flash on and off. The light is actually emitted by bacteria (of the genus Vibrio) that live in the organ in a mutualistic relationship with the fish. (The bacteria receive nutrients from the fish). The bacteria must multiply until they reach a certain density in the organ (a "quorum"; see Chapter 11.1), at which point they all begin emitting light at the same time. There is a group of six or so genes, called lux genes, whose gene products are necessary for light formation. Given that these bacterial genes are regulated together, propose a hypothesis for how the genes are organized and regulated.

The p53 protein can activate genes involved in apoptosis. Review Concept 11.5, and discuss how mutations in genes coding for proteins that function in apoptosis could contribute to cancer.

(a) Did deletion of any of the possible control elements cause a reduction in reporter gene expression? If so, which one (s), and how can you tell? (b) If loss of a control element causes a reduction in gene expression, what must be the normal role of that control element? Provide a biological explanation for how the loss of such a control element could lead to a reduction in gene expression.

Cell differentiation always involves

(A) transcription of the myoD gene.

(B) the movement of cells.

(C) the production of tissue-specific factors

(D) the selection loss of certain genes from the genome.

In general, what are the effects of histone acetylation and DNA methylation on gene expression?

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