8. What is a proto-oncogene? What type of mutations on proto-oncogene promote tu

Question

8. What is a proto-oncogene? What type of mutations on proto-oncogene promote tumor progression?

9. What is a tumor-suppressor gene? What type of mutation of such genes promote tumor progression?

10. Are cancers usually inheritable? And why?

11. What is a carcinogen? Give some examples of carcinogens. How would healthy life style help fight against cancer?

12. What is gene cloning? What DNA segments are needed in the recombinant DNA technology?

13. What enzymes can be used to manipulate DNA segments in DNA recombination?

Explanation / Answer

8. Proto-oncogenes control the growth and division of cells. The proteins encoded by proto-oncogenes include growth factors, transcription factors and signal transducers. Genes for which a gain of function mutation drives a cell toward cancer are called proto-oncogenes. Proto-oncogenes may be converted into oncogenes through a single alteration of a nucleotide. This alteration may be the deletion of a base, the insertion of an extra base or the substitution of one base for another. Chromosomal translocation may also result in activation of proto-oncogenes.
9. Tumour suppressor genes can directly or indirectly inhibit cell growth. Genes for which a loss of function mutation creates the cancer are called tumour suppressor genes. P53 is the good studies tumour suppressor gene that encodes a polypeptide which acts as a transcription factor. Mutations in p53 gene are associated with human cancers.
10. YES, cancer is heritable, gene mutation inherited from mother or father.
11. Carcinogens are the substance or radiation that promote the formation of cancer. Some common example of carcinogens is inhaled asbestos, certain dioxins, and tobacco smoke. Red and processed meat increased the risk of cancer whereas the plant-based diet of fruits, vegetables, beans and maintaining a healthy body weight can reduce the risk of developing cancer.

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