In March 2011 an earthquake measuring approximately 9.0 on the Richter scale struck Fukushima, Japan. Several nuclear reactors at the Fukushima Daichii Nuclear Power Plant were damaged, and nuclear core meltdown occurred. A massive release of radiation accompanied damage to the plant, and 5 years later the incidence of thyroid cancer in children exposed to the radiation was determined to be well over 100 times more frequent than expected without radiation exposure. DNA damage and mutations resulting from radiation exposure are suspected of causing this increased cancer rate. What gene discussed in this chapter might be responsible for pausing the cell cycle of dividing cells long enough for radiation-induced damage to be repaired in cells?

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Accepted Answer

Welcome back, everyone. Here's our next question. Lee fRMI syndrome. L F S is a rare genetic condition that predisposes individuals to certain types of cancer. It is passed from one generation to the next in an autosomal dominant manner manner. Research has shown that in more than 70% of cases of Elf F S, there's a mutation in one particular gene which codes for a protein responsible for the transcription of 50 more genes damage to the DNA can cause either blocking of the cell cycle or initiate apoptosis by this gene. But if this gene is mutated, the cells tend to become malignant. Which gene is this? Choice A B R C A one, choice BT P 53 choice CPR B or choice D R B one. Well, this is a case where for once often our gene names have clues in them or reminders because they uh have letters or sounds that remind us of the protein that the gene produces or the syndrome that it causes when there's a mutation. And this is one case where there's not an obvious connection. So we just have to remember it and Lee from any syndrome is caused by a mutation to the choice B T P 53 gene. And as we can see, this gene is really important in regulating cell growth and division because it can block the cell cycle, it can initiate apoptosis. So when you mutate this gene that can cause risk for all sorts of different cancers, well, just look at our other answer. Choices. Uh Choice A B R C one is a rather famous one you may hear a lot about and is involved mutations with B R C. One uh is one of the causes of a higher risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancers. So people with mutations in this gene are at higher risk for these cancers, but it's not involved in Le Mini syndrome. So not our correct answer. And then choices C and D are both related to retinoblastoma. So they are um cancer causing genes or cancer causing related to cancer. R B. One is the gene Pr B is the protein that the gene codes for. So mutations to R B one um cause a problem in the protein pr B which as always with cancer genes and proteins is a protein involved in regulating cell growth and development. So R B one is known as a tumor suppressor gene. And when you mutate it, you can end up having retinoblastoma. So choices C and D are not correct as they're not involved with L F S. So again, Lee Mini syndrome. Involves a mutation two choice B the T P 53 gene in more than 70% of the cases. See you in the next video.

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Key Concepts

Cell Cycle Regulation

DNA Damage Response (DDR)

p53 Tumor Suppressor Gene