cancer suppressor genes meaning
[Medicine]
Genes that inhibit expression of the tumorigenic phenotype. They are normally involved in holding cellular growth in check. When tumor suppressor genes are inactivated or lost,a barrier to normal proliferation is removed and unregulated growth is possible.
Genes that inhibit expression of the tumorigenic phenotype. They are normally involved in holding cellular growth in check. When tumor suppressor genes are inactivated or lost,a barrier to normal proliferation is removed and unregulated growth is possible.
Examples
- In more than 90 percent of cases, the first to go bad is one called APC . APC is known as a cancer suppressor gene, since its usual duty is overseeing other genes that regulate the normal cycle of cells'growth and death.
- The result does not necessarily mean that the gene is not connected with colon cancer, said Dr . Eric R . Fearon of the University of Michigan, who originally identified DCC ( for " deleted in colorectal cancer " ) as a possible colon cancer suppressor gene, because the experiment was done in mice and they are not always a good model for human cancer development.
