Cancer is often referred to as a disorder of the cell cycle (see p 128 in your b

Question

Cancer is often referred to as a disorder of the cell cycle (see p 128 in your book). Briefly describe the cell cycle and explain how it is regulated. How might disruption of the cell cycle lead to cancer? Find and describe the actions of a chemotherapeutic agent that directly targets the cell cycle. Be sure to explain specifically when during the cell cycle it works and what it interferes with. Here is a good resource to get you started in finding a chemotherapeutic agent to discuss National Cancer Institute. 2012. Types of chemotherapy drugs

Explanation / Answer

1) Cell cycle is defined as a sequence of events which takes place in a cell leading to its division and replication of genomic material. In eukaryotic cell, the cell cycle consists of four distinct phases: G1, S, G2 and M phases. Cells increase in size during G1 phase. DNA synthesis and replication takes place in S phase. G2 phase is a gap between DNA synthesis and mitosis. During M phase, cell division stops and the cell is divides into two identical daughter cells.

Cell cycle is regulated by cyclins and cyclin dependent kinases (CDKs). Cell cycle regulation is essential for detection and repair of genetic damage. Cyclin-CDKs complexes activates or inactivates target proteins. There are three cell cycle check points.

G1/S check point decides wheather the cell has to enter cell cycle or not. G2/S check point checks for DNA damage and errors in DNA replication. Cyclin S is active in this phase. Spindle check point checks for chromosome attachment to spindle at metaphase plate. Cyclin M is active at this phase.

Apart from these, genes of cip/kip family like p21 and p27 as well as the genes from INK4a/ARF family like p16 are also involved in cell cycle regulation.

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