Rb is a tumor suppressor gene; its normal function is to help restrain cell divi
ID: 70618 • Letter: R
Question
Rb is a tumor suppressor gene; its normal function is to help restrain cell division. Loss of both copies of Rb is a causative factor in some kinds of cancer. You propose to treat these cancers by injecting the patients with a viral vector that carries a copy of the Rb gene and has the ability to infect all the cells of the body, thereby artificially driving expression of Rb in all the cells, including the cancer cells. Your colleague says “No! You'll simply kill the patient, because you will halt cell division throughout the body.”
A. Why would halting cell division throughout the body kill a full-grown adult person?
B. Is your colleague right in thinking that forced expression of Rb in every cell will halt all cell division?
Explanation / Answer
a). Many cells in our body regenerate from time to time to replace the dead cells. For example, the cells of bone marrow, mucosal lining are fast proliferating cells. Imagine if we inhibit the regeneration of mucosal layer, no absorption of nutrients take place, the gastric juices directly damage the muscle layers, no mucus secretion means it is the easy way for many pathogens to enter into the body, no immune functioning and so many will happen. Thus, the person can be killed easily.
b). Yes, your friend is right, forced expression of tumor suppressor genes may halt the cell division and suppress growth.
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