L7 Cancer Cell Signaling

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary terms and concepts in cancer cell signaling from the lecture notes.

Cell Signaling

The mechanisms that cells use to perceive and adapt to their state and surroundings.

Oncogenes

Genes that are capable of cellular transformation leading to cancer, typically derived from proto-oncogenes through mutation or over-production.

Tumor Suppressors

Genes that suppress or control cell proliferation; mutations lead to loss of function.

Signal Transduction

The biochemical process that facilitates information processing by the cell.

Positive Feedback

A feedback mechanism that amplifies a signal or process.

Negative Feedback

A feedback mechanism that stabilizes and maintains activity within a specified range.

Phosphorylation

A post-translational modification involving the addition of phosphate groups to proteins, which regulates their activity.

Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs)

Receptors that have intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity, important targets for oncogenic mutations.

Wnt Signaling Pathway

A crucial signaling pathway involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, and associated with various cancers.

Aberrant Wnt Signaling

Irregular Wnt signaling activity that can lead to various diseases, including cancers.