Biochemistry 2280A Lecture Notes - Lecture 36: Imatinib, Dna Replication, Cisplatin
12 Dec 2016
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Topic 29 continued: functions of cancer causing genes. Cells don"t respond to normal signals that trigger cell death. Cancer cells also continue to express telomerase. A normal, differentiated cells don"t express telomerase. As each division happens telomerase gets shorter and at the end, the cells know that it"s the last division. Telomeres in cancer cells don"t get shorter don"t die. Cancer can be caused by too much or too little expression of the genes that regulate cell growth, differentiation or cell death. If a gene that regulates dna repair is malfunctioning the cell acquires more mutations higher chances of becoming a cancer cell. Many dna repair proteins are often tumor suppressors: classic cancer treatments. Surgery is the number one option (just remove the tumor) In cases of metastasis or when surgery isn"t possible. They stop cells from replicating the damaged dna. There are things like cisplatin that blocks dna replication. Interfere with the mitotic machinery (eg. taxol)
