Question

Cells can become transformed (i.e., become capable of growing and dividing inappropriately, or become tumor cells) because of mutations in genes such as proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Protein P, normally stimulates apoptosis or cell death when activated. Consider a cell with a mutation in one allele such that protein P is always expressed and active, while the other allele of gene P is deleted. Which of the following is true for this cell?

options

Gene P is a proto-oncogene, and the phenotype of the cell is transformed.

Gene P is a proto-oncogene, and the phenotype of the cell is not transformed.

Gene P is a tumor suppressor gene, and the phenotype of the cell is transformed

Gene P is a tumor suppressor gene, and the phenotype of the cell is not transformed

Answer 1

Option D is correct

Gene P is a tumor suppressor gene, and the phenotype of the cell is not transformed

As told in the question that gene P normaly stimulate apoptosis or cell death upon activated . It means it prevent excessive groth of cell that means it is tumor supressor gene.

Mutation in tumor supressor genes are recessive in nature. If one allele I'd deleted than still second allele is there that will perform the functions and phenotype will be normal and cell will not be transformed. In order to cell transformed both of allels must be deleted or mutated.