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A#416 - Eukaryotic Click and Learn - Cell Cycle and Cancer

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Last updated over 5 years ago
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INTRODUCTION

This handout complements the Click & Learn The Eukaryotic Cell Cycle and Cancer and is intended as an in-depth examination of the cell cycle and the protein players involved.

PROCEDURE
Follow the instructions as you proceed through the Click & Learn and answer the questions in the spaces below.
Click on the “Background” tab on the right side. Most of this should be review
Question 1
1.

Question 2
2.

Be sure to review the video embedded here about mouse villi - how does the stem cell's progeny change as they move up the villus? Why are they changing? Why do some have to die at the top? Be prepared to discuss

Click on “Cell Cycle Regulators and Cancer” in the center purple circle on the right. Use the information under “Regulators Overview” in the window on the left to answer the questions below.
Question 3
3.

Question 4
4.

Question 5
5.

The most important cell cycle regulators are the

Question 6
6.

What is a kinase, and what does it do?

Question 7
7.

Question 8
8.

Question 9
9.

Question 10
10.

Various proteins in the cell turn on or off cycle/CDK complexes. SO - these proteins, by regulating the activity of the cycle/CDK complexes, regulate progression through the cell cycle.
1
Question 11
11.

Use the diagram:
Remember that cyclin/CDK complexes enable a cell to progress through a particular stage in the cell cycle. WHICH cyclin is CDK2 bound to during the Sphase checkpoint?

1
Question 13
13.

If you need more info or a different take on how cyclins/CDKs work, please watch below. The first is a good overview. The second (start at 1 minute) is a great example of how genes and CDKs work together.
Using the cell cycle diagram on the right and both links in the center purple circle, review this information. You should be able to tell me (TAKE NOTES ON THIS) what is being "checked" at each checkpoint.

For example - G1 checkpoint - no DNA damage and sufficient resources

Also be able to tell me what would make each check point STOP and GO (use the green and red buttons on the "Cell Cycle Phases" diagram.

For example
G1 checkpoint is driven by growth factors that are circulating in the blood (what type of communication is this?)
G1 checkpoint is inhibited by p53 and Rb (see the second video linked below)

repeat for the other checkpoints. this isn't about memorizing this information, but understanding how it all works together.
Click on “Cell Cycle Regulators and Cancer” in the center purple circle on the right. Then click on the “Cancer Overview” tab in the window to the left (right tab).
Question 14
14.

Question 15
15.

Question 16
16.

What do mutated proto-oncogenes cause?

Question 17
17.

Question 18
18.

Mutations in proto-oncogenes are dominant and cause a gain in function. ONE mutation can lead to cancer. Mutations in tumor-suppressor genes are different. Explain how.

  1. Watch the video clip. Be able to
  2. Using the gas pedal analogy, explain the impact on the cell cycle of a proto-oncogene versus an oncogene.
  3. Using the brake pedal analogy, explain the impact on the cell cycle of one mutated tumor suppressor gene allele versus two mutated tumor suppressor alleles.
What is a "growth factor" and what role does it play in cell division?
molecular signal from another cell that tells target cell to die
autocrine signal that tells target cell to die
molecular signal from another cell that tells target cell to divide
autocrine signal that tells target cell to differentiate
Cells either divide, die or differentiate. What is differentiation?
when cells express particular genes and take on a specific function
when cells stop producing proteins and express all of their DNA at once
when cells stop dividing and undergo apoptosis
when cells divide rapidly due to direction of external factors
What type of protein that regulates the cell cycle is encoded by proto-oncogenes?
inhibitory proteins
stimulating proteins
What type of protein that regulates the cell cycle is encoded by tumor suppressor genes?
inhibitory proteins
stimulating proteins
When are CDKs PRESENT inside the cell during the cell cycle?
during cell division
always
never
When are CDKs present ACTIVE the cell during the cell cycle?
always
never
only when bound to cyclins
When are cyclins present inside the cell during the cell cycle?
always
varies - each cyclin has its own pattern of concentration changes, depending on the phase of the cell cycle
never
CDKs form molecular complexes with cyclins. What do activated CDK-cyclin complexes do?
cause a cell to proceed through the cell cycle
inhibit a cell from proceeding through the cell cycle
Question 12
12.


In the diagram above, notice that cyclin levels CYCLE (get the name now?), and MPF (maturation promoting factor, a specific name of a cyclin/CDK complex) follows the same pattern. When cyclin levels are high, MPF activity is high, and vice versa. The height of activity peaks at M phase. This tells us that the role of this active complex is to move through M phase, and then cyclin levels, and MPF activity levels, drop off quickly after that.

Given all this information, what do you know about associated CDK levels during the time shown on this graph?
associated CDK levels would remain very high the whole time
associated CDK levels would follow the same pattern as the cyclin levels
associated CDK levels would be constant, probably at a mid to high level the whole time.
associated CDK levels would remain very low the whole time
What is the role of a proto-oncogene in normal, healthy cells?
a gene that encodes for proteins that cause uncontrolled cell growth, or cancer
a gene that encodes for proteins which stimulate the cell cycle and cause normal division
a gene that encodes for proteins which inhibit the cell cycle and stop normal division
a gene that encodes for proteins that do nothing for the cell cycle
What is the role of a tumor-suppressor gene in normal, healthy cells?
a gene that encodes for proteins that do nothing for the cell cycle
a gene that encodes for proteins which inhibit the cell cycle and stop normal division
a gene that encodes for proteins which stimulate the cell cycle and cause normal division
a gene that encodes for proteins that cause uncontrolled cell growth, or cancer
What do mutated tumor suppressor genes cause?
the immediate cessation of the cell cycle
the inability to inhibit the cell cycle when it should be stopped
movement through the cell cycle at a faster pace than normal
Which CDK is Cyclin B bound to in order to make the active cyclin/CDK complex that will move a cell past metaphase?
CDK6
CDK1
CDK2
CDK4