Many mutated genes in tumors are involved in which regulatory pathways?

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Study for UCF PCB3023 Molecular Cell Biology Test. Prepare with diverse questions, flashcards, and detailed explanations. Enhance your understanding and get exam-ready!

The correct response highlights that many mutated genes in tumors are involved in pathways regulating both cellular responses to DNA damage and stress as well as pathways that govern the initiation of cell division.

Tumor cells often exhibit dysfunction in the intricate regulatory processes that ensure proper cellular responses to DNA damage, leading to genomic instability. This instability is a hallmark of cancer and facilitates the accumulation of further mutations. For instance, mutations in genes like p53, which plays a critical role in sensing DNA damage and regulating the cell cycle, can result in a failure to halt the division of damaged cells, allowing them to proliferate uncontrollably.

Additionally, pathways that govern cell division initiation are integral in cancer biology. Mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes can drive inappropriate cell cycle progression, leading to unregulated cellular proliferation. This is evident in translocations and mutations that activate oncogenes or inactivate tumor suppressors, leading to excessive cell division and tumorigenesis.

In summary, both the regulation of cellular responses to DNA damage or stress and the control mechanisms of cell division are fundamental processes often disrupted in cancerous cells, making them key areas of focus in tumor biology. Therefore, selecting the option that includes both of these pathways accurately reflects the involvement of mutated