What two pathways are distrupted in cancer cells?
In cancer cells, there are multiple pathways that can be disrupted, leading to uncontrolled cell growth and division. However, two commonly affected pathways are the p53 tumor suppressor pathway and the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK pathway.
1. The p53 pathway: The p53 protein acts as a tumor suppressor and helps regulate cell cycle progression, DNA repair, and apoptosis (programmed cell death). Mutations in the p53 gene (TP53) can lead to loss of its normal function, allowing cancer cells to divide and survive when they shouldn't. One way to know if the p53 pathway is disrupted in cancer cells is to analyze the mutation status of the TP53 gene using techniques like DNA sequencing or polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
2. The RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK pathway: This pathway is involved in transmitting signals from the cell surface to the nucleus, regulating cell proliferation and survival. It begins with the activation of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and ultimately leads to activation of the MEK/ERK proteins, which control the expression of genes involved in cell cycle progression. In cancer cells, mutations can occur in genes encoding proteins like RAS or RAF, leading to abnormal activation of this pathway and uncontrolled cell growth. To determine if this pathway is disrupted in cancer cells, researchers can assess the mutation status of genes involved in the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK pathway through various genetic analysis methods, such as sequencing or PCR.
It's important to note that cancer is a complex disease, and besides these pathways, many other molecular alterations can occur in different types of cancer. Therefore, understanding the specific genetic alterations in a particular cancer type requires more detailed investigation and analysis.