Understanding DNA Replication, Errors, and the Genetic Basis of Cancer
This overview explores the mechanisms of DNA replication, the frequency of errors, and their consequences, including mutations that can lead to diseases like cancer. Bacteria exhibit a replication error rate of three errors per 100,000 bases, but proofreading mechanisms by polymerases reduce this to one error per billion bases. Mutations, induced by environmental factors or replication errors, can lead to genetic disorders or cancer. Understanding the role of oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and the cell cycle phases in cellular function is crucial for cancer research and treatment.
Understanding DNA Replication, Errors, and the Genetic Basis of Cancer
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Presentation Transcript
DNA Replication Errors and Mutations • Error rates • in bacteria 3 errors per 100,000 bases copied • every generation of cells would have 1,000 faulty proteins • Proofreading and error correction • after DNA polymerase replicates strand, a smaller polymerase proofreads it and makes corrections • results in only 1 error per 1,000,000,000 bases copied • Mutations - changes in DNA structure due to replication errors or environmental factors • some cause no effect, some kill cell, turn it cancerous or cause genetic defects in future generations
DNA Function • Serves as code for protein synthesis, cell replication and reproduction • Gene - sequence of DNA nucleotides that codes for one polypeptide • Genome - all the genes of one person
Cell Cycle • G1 phase, the first gap phase • normal cellular functions • S phase, synthesis phase • DNA replication • G2 phase, second gap phase • preparation for mitosis • replicates centrioles, synthesizes enzymes for cell division • M phase, mitotic phase • nuclear and cytoplasmic division • G0 phase, cells that have left the cycle
Functions of Mitosis • Embryonic development • Tissue growth • Replacement of old and dead cells • Repair of injured tissues
Mitosis: Prophase • Chromatin supercoils into chromosomes • Nuclear envelope disintegrates • Centrioles sprout microtubules, mitotic spindle • Centrioles move to poles
Mitosis: Metaphase • Chromosomes line up on equator • Spindle fibers attach to centromere • Asters anchor centrioles to plasma membrane
Mitosis: Anaphase • Centromeres divide • Spindle fibers pull sister chromatids to opposite poles of cell
Mitosis: Telophase • Chromatin uncoils • Nuclear envelopes form • Mitotic spindle breaks down
Cytokinesis • Division of cytoplasm • Myosin pulls on actin in the membrane skeleton • Causes crease around cell equator called cleavage furrow • Cell pinches in two
Timing of Cell Division Cells divide when: • Cells large enough • DNA replicated • Adequate supply of nutrients • Growth factor stimulation • Open space in tissue Cells stop dividing when: • Loss of growth factors or nutrients • Contact inhibition
Cancer • Tumours • abnormal growth, when cells multiply faster than they die • oncology is the study of tumors • Benign • connective tissue capsule, grow slowly, stays local • potentially lethal by compression of vital tissues • Malignant • unencapsulated, fast growing, metastatic (causes 90% of cancer deaths)
Causes of Cancer • Carcinogens - estimates of 60 - 70% of cancers from environmental agents • chemical • cigarettes, food preservatives • radiation • UV radiation, particles, rays, particles • viruses • type 2 herpes simplex - uterus, hepatitis B - liver
Mutagens • Trigger gene mutations • cell may die, be destroyed by immune system or produce a tumor Defenses against mutagens • Scavenger cells • remove them • Peroxisomes • neutralize nitrites, free radicals and oxidizing agents • Nuclear enzymes • repair DNA • Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) destroys tumors
Cancer Genes • Oncogenes • mutated form of proto-oncogenes • sis oncogene causes excessive production of growth factors • stimulate neovascularization of tumor • ras oncogene codes for abnormal growth factor receptors • sends constant divide signal to cell • Tumor suppressor genes • inhibit development of cancer • damage to one or both removes control of cell division
Effects of Malignancies • Displaces normal tissue, function deteriorates • rapid cell growth of immature nonfunctional cells • metastatic cells different tissue origin • Block vital passageways • respiratory or vascular • Diverts nutrients from other tissues • tumors have high metabolic rates • causes weakness, fatigue, emaciation, infection
Chromosomes • Karyotype • chart of chromosomes at metaphase by size, structure • Homologous chromosomes • 2 chromosomes in each pair, 1 from each parent • autosomes (22 pairs) • sex chromosomes (X and Y) • Germ cells - sperm and egg cells, haploid • Somatic cells - all other cells, diploid
Genes and Alleles • Gene loci • location of gene on chromosome • Alleles • two homologous chromosomes have same gene at same locus, may be different forms of gene • Dominant allele • produces normal, functional protein • Recessive allele • when both alleles are recessive produces abnormal protein or no protein
Genetics of Earlobes • Genotype • alleles for a trait (DD) • Phenotype • trait that results • Dominant allele (D) • expressed with DD or Dd • Dd parent ‘carrier’ of recessive gene • Recessive allele (d) • expressed with dd only Punnett square
Multiple Alleles, Codominance, Incomplete Dominance • Gene pool • collective genetic makeup of whole population • Multiple alleles • more than 2 alleles for a trait • such as IA, IB, i alleles for blood type • Codominant • both alleles expressed, IAIB = type AB blood • Incomplete dominance • phenotype intermediate between traits for each allele
Polygenic Inheritance • 2 or more genes combine their effects to produce single phenotypic trait, such as skin color
Pleiotropy • Single gene causes multiple phenotypic traits, as in sickle-cell disease
Sex-Linked Inheritance • Recessive allele on X, no gene locus for trait on Y, so hemophilia more common in men
Penetrance and Environmental Effects • Penetrance • % of population to express predicted phenotype • Role of environment • brown eye colour requires phenylalanine from diet to produce melanin, the eye pigment
Alleles at the Population Level • Dominance and recessiveness of allele do not determine frequency in a population • Some recessive alleles, blood type O, are the most common • Some dominant alleles, polydactyly, are rare