2. Cancer genome sequencing is being used to classify tumors according to the sp

Question

2. Cancer genome sequencing is being used to classify tumors according to the spectrum of mutant genes.

a) Mutations found in cancer genomes are sorted into two types, “driver” mutations and “passenger” mutations. What is meant by these two terms?

b) Investigators have found that mutations in oncogenes are generally found to concentrate at a small number of positions within the protein coding sequence of the parent proto-oncogene. Mutations in tumor suppressor genes are found at many positions within the coding sequence of the tumor suppressor gene. Explain how you would account for this finding?

Explanation / Answer

a) Driver mutations are the mutation in the protein coding genes of either proto-oncogene or tumor supressor gene that leads to the development of cancer whereas passenger mutations are neutral and somatic mutation that do not play any role in the development of cancer

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