Question

Tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes are implicated in carcinogenesis. However, one can predict whether a gene potentially encodes for a protein that influences carcinogenesis by examining their mutational profile. You sequence the genome of 4 cancers and identify 3 genes of interest. Which of the following genes has the best potential to an oncogene?

tumor 1 tumor 2 tumor 3 tumor 4
Gene A S24F, N465T R33T T345S, G366R P367E, P368Y
Gene B S34R, F360I S34R V254I S34E, T67Y
Gene C S24F, I322E C255I, E344D S34E, P367E

a..Gene A and C are potential oncogenes
b. Gene B and C are potential oncogenes
c. Gene B is a potential oncogene
d. None of the genes are potential oncogenes
e. All of the genes are potential oncogenes

Answer 1

Answer: Option A - Gene A and C are potential oncogenes

Explanation:

Oncogenes are genes that contribute to the conversion of a normal cell into a cancerous cell when mutated or expressed at high levels.

From the information provided:

Gene A S24F, N465T R33T T345S, G366R P367E, P368Y and

Gene C S24F, I322E C255I, E344D S34E, P367E

Both gene A and C have two similar sequences which represent potential sites of mutation