What are the three categories of genes that, when mutated, can lead to tumor for

Question

What are the three categories of genes that, when mutated, can lead to tumor formation (3)? the Vogelstein article uses the analogy of a car to explain what happens when genes in these three categories are mutated. Now it is your turn: Give me an analogy of your own to explain the differences between these three kinds of genes (2)? What does it mean to be predisposed to getting cancer? If someone is predisposed to getting cancer, does it automatically mean that he or she will get cancer someday (1.5)? Can you "catch" cancer like you catch a cold (1.5)?

Explanation / Answer

1) The genes involved in cell division, oncogenes and tumor suppressors genes.

2) Mutations in genes can cause cancer by accelerating cell division rates or inhibiting normal controls on the system, such as cell cycle arrest or programmed cell death.  As a mass of cancerous cells grows, it can develop into a tumor. Cancer cells can also invade neighboring tissues and sometimes even break off and travel to other parts of the body, leading to the formation of new tumors at those sites.

Viruses that causes cancer in humans includes HIV, Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), and human papilloma viruses (HPVs). genes can be mutated to forms that promote uncontrolled cell proliferation. The normal forms of these genes are called protooncogenes, while the mutated, cancer-causing forms are called oncogenes.mutations in viruses are are dominant or gain-of-function mutations.

  Mutations in tumor suppressor genes contribute to the development of cancer by inactivating that inhibitory function. Mutations of this type are termed loss-of-function mutations.

3) A genetic predisposition is an increased likelihood of developing a particular disease based on a person's genetic makeup. A genetic predisposition results from specific genetic variations that are often inherited from a parent.Being born with one inherited faulty gene doesn't mean that a person will definitely get cancer. But they have a higher risk of developing particular types of cancer than other people. They are also more likely to develop cancer at a younger age. Doctors call this having a genetic predisposition to cancer.

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