Tumor-Suppressor Genes

Question

Tumor-suppressor genes
A) are frequently overexpressed in cancerous cells.
B) are cancer-causing genes introduced into cells by viruses.
C) can encode proteins that promote DNA repair or cell-cell adhesion.
D) often encode proteins that stimulate the cell cycle.
E) do all of the above.

Accepted Answer

Tumor-suppressor genes are responsible for regulating cell growth and division. They can encode proteins that promote DNA repair or cell-cell adhesion, which helps prevent the accumulation of mutations and the development of cancer. They do not usually stimulate the cell cycle, and they are not overexpressed in cancerous cells. They are also not introduced into cells by viruses, which would be an oncogene.