Cancer

Definition

Cancer is a disease characterized by the uncontrolled division and growth of abnormal cells in the body, which can form tumors and invade other tissues. This process can disrupt normal cellular functions and lead to significant health issues. Various factors contribute to the development of cancer, including genetic mutations, environmental influences, and disruptions in critical cellular processes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cancer cells often exhibit altered post-translational modifications, such as aberrant glycosylation patterns, which can affect cell signaling and immune evasion.
2. The nuclear import and export processes can be hijacked by cancer cells to maintain an environment conducive to their growth, allowing for abnormal protein localization.
3. Cancer cells may evade apoptosis through various mechanisms, including the overexpression of anti-apoptotic proteins or downregulation of pro-apoptotic factors.
4. Tumors can influence surrounding tissue by secreting signaling molecules that alter local cellular environments, promoting a tumor-friendly setting.
5. Certain cancers are associated with specific genetic mutations that affect key pathways regulating cell cycle progression and apoptosis, leading to unchecked proliferation.

Review Questions

• How do post-translational modifications contribute to cancer cell behavior?
  • Post-translational modifications play a significant role in determining protein function and stability, and cancer cells often exhibit abnormal patterns of these modifications. For instance, changes in glycosylation can alter how proteins interact with other cells and molecules, contributing to tumor growth and metastasis. These modifications can also affect signaling pathways that promote cell survival or proliferation, making them critical in understanding cancer biology.
• What is the role of nuclear transport mechanisms in cancer progression?
  • Nuclear transport mechanisms are crucial for maintaining normal cellular function by regulating the localization of proteins within the cell. In cancer, these mechanisms can be altered to facilitate the nuclear accumulation of oncogenic factors or the export of tumor suppressor proteins. This dysregulation allows cancer cells to sustain proliferative signaling and evade growth suppressors, which are key characteristics of malignant transformation.
• Evaluate how dysregulation of apoptosis influences cancer development and progression.
  • Dysregulation of apoptosis significantly influences cancer development by allowing damaged or abnormal cells to survive when they should undergo programmed cell death. Cancer cells often develop mechanisms that evade apoptosis, such as overexpressing anti-apoptotic proteins like Bcl-2 or downregulating pro-apoptotic factors. This survival advantage contributes to tumor growth and resistance to therapy, highlighting the importance of targeting apoptotic pathways in cancer treatment strategies.

Related terms

Oncogenes: Genes that have the potential to cause cancer when mutated or expressed at high levels, often promoting cell division and survival.

Tumor Suppressor Genes: Genes that help prevent uncontrolled cell growth; mutations in these genes can lead to cancer by removing regulatory constraints on cell division.

Apoptosis: The process of programmed cell death that eliminates damaged or unnecessary cells; dysregulation of apoptosis can contribute to cancer development.