MBB 446 Lecture 2 Flashcards
About _______ Canadians will develop cancer in their lifetimes and ______ will die of the disease;
- 1 in 2
2. 1 in 4
Define cancer
a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells
How many different types of cancer are there?
More than 200 (Cancer can develop from almost any type of cell in the body..)
How do cells acquire hallmarks of cancer?
As normal cells evolve progressively to a neoplastic state, they acquire these hallmark capabilities.
What are the original 6 core hallmarks of cancer?
- Sustaining proliferative signaling
- Evading growth suppressors
- Activating invasion and metatasis
- Enabling replicative immortatlity
- Inducing angiogenesis
- Resisting cell death
Proliferation of normal cells requires what 4 things to be overcome?
- Requires growth signals
- DNA checkpoints
- Activating apoptosis (suicide)
- Reproductive quota
What phase are most adult cells in?
Most adult cells are NOT actively dividing: they are QUIESCENT = in the G0 (inactive) part of the cell cycle
Genes involved in tumorigenesis include those whose products do what 3 possible things?
- directly regulate cell proliferation (either promoting or inhibiting);
- are involved in the repair of damaged DNA
- control programmed cell death or apoptosis
Depending on how they affect each process, these genes can be grouped into two general categories:
- proto-oncogenes (growth promoting).
2. tumor suppressor genes (growth inhibitory)
Mutant alleles of proto-oncogenes are called ______.
oncogenes
Tumor suppressor genes may be divided into what two groups?
- Promoters
2. Caretaker genes
What are promoters?
Mutation of these genes leads to transformation by directly releasing the brakes on cellular proliferation (e.g. the traditional tumor suppressors p53 and RB)
What are caretaker genes?
They are responsible for processes that ensure the integrity of the genome, such as those involved in DNA repair. Cells with mutations in caretaker genes are said to have a “mutator phenotype”.
Cells with mutations in caretaker genes are said to have what kind of phenotype
Mutator phenotype
How does Hallmark 1: Sustaining proliferative signaling achieved through manipulation of growth signals? Describe the role of growth cells in normal cells vs. tumor cells
- Normal cells: require growth signals (GS) before they start dividing. These signals are transmitted into the cell by transmembrane receptors that bind distinctive classes of signaling molecules.
- Tumor cells: generate their own growth signals, thereby reducing their dependence on stimulation from their normal tissue microenvironment
Describe the ways by which tumour cells sustain proliferative signaling
- Signal transduction
- Oncogenes
- a) Growth factor
b) Growth factor receptors
c) Oncoproteins (signal transducers, nuclear regulatory proteins, and cell cycle regulators)
What are the 3 common strategies for achieving growth signal autonomy? What are the oncogene products (oncoproteins) associated with each?
- Strategy: Alteration of extracellular growth signals
- Oncogene products (oncoproteins): Growth factors
- Strategy: Alteration of transcelluar transducers of those signals
- Oncogene products (oncoproteins): Growth factor receptors
- Strategy: Alteration of intracellular circuits that translate those signals into action
- Oncogene products (oncoproteins):
a) Signal transduction proteins
b) Nuclear regulatory proteins
c) Cell cycle regulators
What are two examples of growth factors?
- platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)
2. transforming growth factor α (TGF-α)
Many cancer cells acquire the ability to synthesize GFs to which they are responsive, creating a _______.
positive feedback signaling loop
Draw diagram show casing positive feedback signaling loop of growth factors in tumor cells
N/A Lecture 2 Slide 16
3 examples of growth factor receptors?
- ERBB1 (EGFR)
- ERBB2 (HER2)
- ALK
What can receptor over-expression cause?
may enable the cancer cell to become hyperresponsive to ambient levels of GF that normally would not trigger proliferation
Draw diagram showcasing overexpression of receptors
N/A Lecture 2 Slide 17
What can alterations in components of the downstream cytoplasmic circuitry that receives and processes the signals emitted by GF receptors cause?
can release a flux of signals into cells, without ongoing stimulation by their normal upstream regulators