Genetic Approach of the Cancer

by Dr.Bouden

How genes involve in the occurrence of cancer?

The DNA in the nucleus of each of our cells contains our gene pool. It is a kind of manual which each page would be a gene. Each gene contains the information necessary for the cell to manufacture specific proteins (all molecules essential to life).

If a gene is faulty (that is to say if an error on a page of instructions), the cell produces the protein incorrectly:

* Or it produces an abnormal protein
* Or it makes a normal protein but too much
* Or it makes a normal protein but at the wrong time.


Normal cells

* They possess genes (called proto-oncogenes) that, upon transfer, to become carcinogenic (they are called oncogenes) and thus initiate a cancer process by converting a normal cell into a cancer cell. Thus it happens that these genes produce proteins evil responsible for regulating the reproductive cells (the cells reproduce by dividing: each gives birth to 2 new cells that are identical in all respects) and / or cell differentiation (each type cell has a specific function).
* They also have genes called tumor suppressors, anti-oncogenes, which prevent the cell from becoming cancerous, even if it has an oncogene. However, these anti-oncogenes may be altered and no longer play their protective role.


Why a gene does mutate ?

There are several reasons for these genetic mutations.

* The cell makes a mistake when her division (called mitosis) to transmit its genetic pool at its 2 'cells - girls', it must make a copy of its DNA (replication). Copy errors occur frequently, but most of time they are repaired immediately. Otherwise, errors are passed on to daughter cells which, therefore, are carrying the genetic mutation.
* The environment can cause genetic mutation viruses, ultraviolet radiation or chemicals can damage DNA and cause the transformation of proto-oncogenes into oncogenes.


How the cell's response to these genetic mutations?

* It has a control system allowing it to detect mutations and thus to repair.
* If it can not fix the error, the cell can self-destruct (apoptosis).
* If the errors (defects) are too numerous, or if the control systems are also damaged, abnormal cells multiply and form tumors.


About the Author

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