Concepts of Genetics (12th Edition)
Concepts of Genetics (12th Edition)
12th Edition
ISBN: 9780134604718
Author: William S. Klug, Michael R. Cummings, Charlotte A. Spencer, Michael A. Palladino, Darrell Killian
Publisher: PEARSON
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Chapter 17, Problem 1NST

Cancer cells often have abnormal patterns of chromatin modifications. In some cancers, the DNA repair genes MLH1 and BRCA1 are hypermethylated on their promoter regions. Explain how this abnormal methylation pattern could contribute to cancer.

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Summary Introduction

To determine: The way by which the pattern of abnormal methylation pattern could contribute to cancer.

Introduction: DNA methylation is a type of chromatin modification that plays an important role in gene regulation. Cancer cells mostly originate under the influence of mutations in tumour-suppressor genes (proto-oncogenes).

Explanation of Solution

Abnormalities of DNA methylation patterns are the hallmark of cancer. Hypomethylation activates several genes that are usually inactive, including oncogenes. This trigger uncontrolled division of cell.

Hypermethylation occurs in one of many DNA repair genes and facilitates chromatin remodeling, chromosome rearrangements, and changes in the chromosome number. Since the DNA repair system is compromised, the frequency of mutation would increase. The resulting increase in mutations might occur in proto-oncogenes, which is responsible for the origination of cancer.

Conclusion

Thus, both hypomethylation and hypermethylation trigger the uncontrolled cell division, which results in cancer.

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Students have asked these similar questions
Because the degree of DNA methylation appears to be a relatively reliable genetic marker for some forms of cancer, researchers have explored the possibility of altering DNA methylation as a form of cancer therapy. Initial studies indicate that while hypomethylation suppresses the formation of some tumors, other tumors thrive. Why would one expect different cancers to respond differently to either hypomethylation or hypermethylation therapies?
Mutations in genes encoding chromatin-remodeling complexes have been identified in high frequencies in some human cancers. For example, mutations in components of the human SWI–SNF remodeling complex were found in 19% of tumors in a group of cancers. How might a mutation in a chromatin-remodeling complex contribute to cancer?
What common mutation occurs in many human cancers? Explain how it can have this effect.

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Concepts of Genetics (12th Edition)

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