Gene Expression and Cancer

Gene Expression and Cancer

Overview:

• Control of the cell cycle is a complex process 
• Rate of cell division is controlled by many proteins, enzymes, transcriptional factors and epigentics
• A tumour is defined as a mass of abnormal cells
• If rate of cell division is too fast a tumour can develop
• If tumours invade or destroy other tissues, they are called cancers
• There are multuple check points to prevent cells continuing their cell cyce if it is in danger of becoming uncontrolled
• Tumour suppressor genes -
  • encodes proteins to slow the rate of cell division
• Oncogenes -
  • encodes proteins to stimulate cell division

Causes of Tumour Growth:

• Gene mutation -
  • tumour suppressor genes ~
    • if a mutation occurs, non-functional proteins produced…