BS3003 Cancer Cell & Molecular Biology - Sustained Proliferation (Oncogenes)

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to oncogenes and their role in cancer biology.

Oncogenes

Genes that promote cell proliferation and are mutated versions of normal proto-oncogenes.

Proto-oncogenes

Normal genes that can become oncogenes through mutations, amplifications, or chromosomal rearrangements.

Tumor suppressor genes

Genes that normally act to inhibit cell division; mutations in these genes can lead to cancer.

Sustained Proliferation

A hallmark of cancer characterized by the ability of cancer cells to grow and divide uncontrollably.

Carcinogens

Substances that cause DNA damage and may lead to cancer.

Gene amplification

An increase in the number of copies of a gene, often leading to increased expression and potential oncogenesis.

Chromosomal rearrangements

Alterations in chromosomal structure that can result in gene fusion or disruption, contributing to cancer development.

Transcription factor

A protein that binds to specific DNA sequences to regulate gene expression, often implicated in cancer when mutated.

3T3 transformation assay

A laboratory test used to identify oncogenes by transforming normal fibroblast cells.

V600EBRAF mutation

A specific mutation in the BRAF gene that results in a constitutively active kinase associated with malignant melanoma.

Hallmarks of Cancer

Characteristics that are often acquired during cell transformation leading to cancer, including deregulating cellular energetics, genome instability, and immune evasion.