1 - Intro to TSGs

Question 1

What is a tumour suppressor?

Answer 1

A gene that helps to control or regulate cell growth, which when mutated can predispose cancer

Question 2

Tumour suppressors focus on??

Answer 2

Growth

Question 3

Name the three main groups of tumour suppressors?

Answer 3

Gatekeepers, caretakers and landscapers. Some TS can perform fucntions of multiple groups

Question 4

Define the role of a gatekeeper TSG?

Answer 4

Prevent growth of potential cancer cells

Question 5

Define the role of a caretaker TSG?

Answer 5

Maintainence of the integrity of the genome/resistance to gain of genomic instablility

Question 6

Define the role of a landscaper TSG?

Answer 6

Genes that control the microenvironment of the cell which can either encourage or hinder cancer

Question 7

TS’s work at??

Answer 7

All levels of the ten hallmarks of cancer

Question 8

Are oncogenes dominant/recessive?

Answer 8

Oncogenes are dominant, and require only one copy present for a cancerous cell

Question 9

Are TSGs dominant/recessive?

Answer 9

Tumour suppressors are recessive and two copies of the mutant tumour suppressor must be present for a cancerous phenotype

Question 10

A few TSGs are haploinsufficient. What does this mean?

Answer 10

Only one mutation must be present for the cancerous cell phenotype, as reduced protein activity/lower protein quantity is sufficient for cancer development

Question 11

Some TSGs are dominant negative, what does this mean?

Answer 11

Only one copy of the mutated TSG needs to be present as it wipes out normal gene function to give the cancer phenotype

Question 12

Mutated TSGs are the basis for ?

Answer 12

Familial hereditary cancers