Proto Oncogene Case Study

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1. How does a proto-oncogene become converted to an oncogene? Explain how each underlying genetic mechanism contributes to an oncogenic effect.
Oncogenes are cancerous cells that develop from proto-oncogenes. Proto-oncogenes are normal genes and under certain conditions, such as mutation, can become cancerous. Furthermore proto-oncogenes also encode for cell growth to be maintained at a normal level whereas oncogenes are at a state of abnormal rapid growth. To limit abnormal rapid growth of cells BRCA-1 and BRCA-1 come into play, BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 are tumor suppressor genes which normally prevent the cancer from developing through repairing of DNA but a mutation in these genes can causes them to facilitate cancer instead of inhibiting it. Moreover the mutation in BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 genes in some cases can be hereditary (King. 2003).

3. How does the chemotherapy drug Taxol inhibit the growth of cancer? …show more content…
Since cancer cells lose the ability known as contact inhibition, this is when normal cells stop to divide when they come into contact with like cells. The effectiveness of chemotherapy depends on inhibition of cell division instead of killing cancer cells. Taxol works in way to damage the RNA and DNA and prompt apoptosis (cell suicide). By either killing cells or stopping them from replicating, Taxol reduces the size of the tumor but, the turmoil of Taxol consists of the drug not being able to identify whether the cell is cancerous or normal. With the loss of specific normal cells (such as blood cells, cells in the mouth, stomach and hair follicles) side effects follow and these include mouth sores, nausea, and diarrhea and/or hair loss. Taxol belongs in a class of plant alkaloids (anti-microtubule agents) which arise from the bark of Pacific Yew tree or periwinkle plant

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