Question

Describe the links between the cell cycle, it's control mechanisms, mutations and the development of cancer.

Answer 1

Cancer is basically a disease of uncontrolled cell division. Its development and progression are usually linked to a series of changes in the activity of cell cycle regulators. For example, inhibitors of the cell cycle keep cells from dividing when conditions aren’t right, so too little activity of these inhibitors can promote cancer. Similarly, positive regulators of cell division can lead to cancer if they are too active. In most cases, these changes in activity are due to mutations in the genes that encode cell cycle regulator proteins.

Here, we’ll look in more detail at what's wrong with cancer cells. We'll also see how abnormal forms of cell cycle regulators can contribute to cancer.