Losing Control of the Cell cycle

Control of the Cell Cycle Certain genes in your DNA control the production of proteins that regulate cell growth and division. If one of these genes are mutated, regulation of cell growth will be disrupted.

Checkpoint - specific points where cell cycle can be put on hold 1. G1/S checkpoint - main point where the cell decides whether or not to divide 2. G2/M checkpoint - point where cell commits to mitosis 3. spindle checkpoint – makes sure that all chromosomes attached to spindle for anaphase

But what if certain genes are mutated and the checkpoint proteins don’t work correctly? Cancer: uncontrolled growth of cell Some mutations cause cancer by over-producing growth-promoting molecules and speed up the cell cycle Some mutations cause cancer by inactivating the checkpoint proteins that would normally stop some cells from dividing…so then those cells keep dividing. (Basically removing the brakes of a car and allowing the car to continue to speed up—faster and faster.)

Cancer: uncontrolled growth of cell

Normal Cell Division vs. Unregulated Cell Division(Cancer)

The Good News… Chemotherapy Radiation Surgery-removal of the tumor/ or cancerous cells Gene-therapy

My Questions for you: Where in the cell cycle could scientists target anticancer drugs? At the checkpoint proteins DNA replication Cytokinesis What type of environmental factors have been associated with the onset of cancer? Too much sun exposure (UV rays) Hormones Pollution smoking

What Questions do you have?