Tumor suppressor
Tumor Suppressor
A tumor suppressor (pronunciation: /ˈtjuːmər səˈprɛsər/) is a gene that regulates cell division and prevents the formation of tumors.
Etymology
The term "tumor suppressor" is derived from the Latin tumere meaning "to swell" and the English suppressor meaning "to inhibit or restrain".
Function
Tumor suppressor genes are crucial in the body's defense against cancer. They produce proteins that control cell growth and division, repair DNA mistakes, and tell cells when to die (a process known as apoptosis). When these genes are mutated or lost, cells can grow out of control and form a tumor.
Examples
Some well-known tumor suppressor genes include TP53, which produces the p53 protein, and BRCA1 and BRCA2, which are involved in repairing damaged DNA. Mutations in these genes can lead to various types of cancer, including breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
Related Terms
- Oncogene: A gene that has the potential to cause cancer. In contrast to tumor suppressor genes, oncogenes promote cell growth and division.
- Carcinogenesis: The process by which normal cells are transformed into cancer cells.
- Mutation: A change in the DNA sequence that can lead to changes in the function of a gene.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Tumor suppressor
- Wikipedia's article - Tumor suppressor
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