Cell signaling and cancer (Biol 200)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from cell signaling and cancer notes.

Cell signaling

Communication between cells to coordinate activities (e.g., sharing resources, moving as one, development) in response to environmental cues.

Signal transduction

Process by which an extracellular signal is converted into a cellular response via a series of molecular steps; pathways differ.

Proto-oncogene

Normal gene that promotes cell growth; mutation or overactivity turns it into an oncogene (gain of function).

Oncogene

Mutated/overactive gene that drives uncontrolled cell division and cancer.

Tumor suppressor gene

Gene that suppresses cell cycle progression or promotes DNA repair; loss of function contributes to cancer.

p53

Key tumor suppressor that regulates cell cycle arrest and apoptosis; commonly mutated in cancers.

p63

Member of the p53 family; described as a very important cycle regulator in the notes.

Metastasis

Spread of cancer cells from the original tumor to distant tissues via invasion and bloodstream.

Cell cycle checkpoint

Control points (e.g., G1/S, G2/M) where the cycle can pause to allow DNA repair; regulated by oncogenes and tumor suppressors.

Accumulation of mutations (multi-hit model)

Cancer progresses after multiple genetic alterations accumulate over time.

Cancer

Disease of uncontrolled cell division with potential to invade and metastasize.

Inherited mutation

Mutation passed from parents (germline) that can predispose to cancer.

DNA replication error

Mistakes that occur during DNA copying, producing mutations.

Virus-induced mutation

Mutations introduced by viruses that can alter host genes and promote cancer.

Environmental mutagens

External factors such as UV radiation and chemicals that increase mutation risk.

Gain of function

Mutation that creates or maintains constitutive activity of a gene (e.g., proto-oncogene → oncogene).

Loss of function

Mutation that reduces or abolishes a gene's function (often in tumor suppressors).

Activator/ enhancer (proto-oncogene role)

Proto-oncogenes act as activators/enhancers of growth signaling.

Repressor (tumor suppressor role)

Tumor suppressors act as brakes that repress growth signals; loss removes these brakes.

Malignancy

Advanced cancer with aggressive growth and metastatic potential.

Multi-hit model of cancer

Concept that several mutations must accumulate before malignant cancer develops.

Sources of mutations

Inherited (germline), DNA replication errors, viruses, and environmental factors.