- The protein product of a tumor suppressor gene can directly or indirectly prevent cell division or cause cell death.
- Tumor suppressor genes can be compared to the brake system of a car.
- Loss of function of a tumor suppressor gene can result in abnormal behavior of the cell.
- Here are some of the key tumor suppressor genes:
- P53
- A transcription factor that regulates gene control of cell division and cell death.
- It plays an important role in the response of cells to DNA damage.
- Helps make decisions between repair and induction of cell death.
- Rb
- Act to alter transcription factor activity.
- Cell division is controlled by acting as an inhibitor.
- APC
- APC proteins bind and stimulate the degradation of transcription factors.
- Loss of functional APC protein leads to an increase in cell division.
- BRCA
- BRCA proteins have a variety of functions, including repair of DNA damage and regulation of gene expression.
- Abnormal function of BRCA can lead to impaired DNA repair and gene regulation.
