You are interested in studying the origins of cancer and join a research lab to do so. You find that many cancer cell lines have mutations in the gene DRG1. You further investigate the mutations to DRG1 and find that some of the cell lines have mutations that affect expression of DRG1, so that no DRG1 mRNA is made in these cells, while other cell lines have mutations that lead the cells to produce a non-functional DRG1 protein.
a) Is DRG1 a proto-oncogene or a tumor suppressor? Explain your reasoning.
b) Your labmates propose several hypotheses about the possible role for DRG1 in normal cells. For each hypothesis, state whether or not you think it makes sense and explain your reasoning. a. DRG1 normally acts to repair DNA damage. b. DRG1 is a receptor for a mitogen (a signaling molecule that promotes cell division)
c. DRG1 is a receptor for a signaling molecule that causes apoptosis (programmed cell death).
You are interested in studying the origins of cancer and join a research lab to do so. You find that many cancer cell lines have mutations in the gene DRG1. You further investigate the mutations to DRG1 and find that some of the cell lines have mutations that affect expression of DRG1, so that no DRG1 mRNA is made in these cells, while other cell lines have mutations that lead the cells to produce a non-functional DRG1 protein.
a) Is DRG1 a proto-oncogene or a tumor suppressor? Explain your reasoning.
b) Your labmates propose several hypotheses about the possible role for DRG1 in normal cells. For each hypothesis, state whether or not you think it makes sense and explain your reasoning. a. DRG1 normally acts to repair DNA damage. b. DRG1 is a receptor for a mitogen (a signaling molecule that promotes cell division)
c. DRG1 is a receptor for a signaling molecule that causes apoptosis (programmed cell death).
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