Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026
10:10
Observing Mitotic Division and Dynamics in a Live Zebrafish Embryo
Published on: July 15, 2016
hCDC4 and genetic instability in cancer
Harith Rajagopalan1, Christoph Lengauer
1Center for Cancer Genetics and Therapeutics, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Cell Cycle (Georgetown, Tex.)
|May 1, 2004
Summary
Inactivating hCDC4 can lead to chromosomal instability, a key feature of cancer. This finding suggests a genetic cause for aneuploidy, a potential therapeutic target in cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Cancer Biology
- Genomic Instability
Background:
- Colorectal cancers arise from sequential genetic alterations.
- Aneuploidy (abnormal chromosome number) is a cancer hallmark with an undetermined role in tumorigenesis.
- Identifying genetic causes of aneuploidy is crucial for understanding cancer development and therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the fundamental mechanisms underlying aneuploidy in cancer.
- To determine if there is a genetic cause for aneuploidy.
- To explore aneuploidy as a potential therapeutic target.
Main Methods:
- Focus on elucidating fundamental mechanisms of aneuploidy.
- Investigating the genetic basis of cancer's chromosomal instability.
- Published research on the role of hCDC4 in chromosomal instability.
Main Results:
- Inactivation of hCDC4 was shown to cause chromosomal instability.
- This finding suggests a genetic basis for aneuploidy.
- Raises further questions about the cause, mechanism, timing, and therapeutic potential of genetic instability.
Conclusions:
- Aneuploidy's genetic basis implies its importance in tumorigenesis.
- Aneuploidy may represent a viable therapeutic target for cancer treatment.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the implications of genetic instability in cancer.
Related Concept Videos
02:36DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle
In response to DNA damage, cells can pause the cell cycle to assess and repair the breaks. However, the cell must check the DNA at certain critical stages during the cell cycle. If the cell cycle pauses before DNA replication, the cells will contain twice the amount of DNA. On the other hand, if cells arrest after DNA replication but before mitosis, they will contain four times the normal amount of DNA. With a host of specialized proteins at their disposal,cells must use the right protein at...
02:21Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell
Cancer arises from mutations in the critical genes that allow healthy cells to escape cell cycle regulation and acquire the ability to proliferate indefinitely. Though originating from a single mutation event in one of the originator cells, cancer progresses when the mutant cell lines continue to gain more and more mutations, and finally, become malignant. For example, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) develops initially as a non-lethal increase in white blood cells, which progressively...
02:59Cancer Prevention
Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
Some...
01:05Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
02:36DNA Damage Can Stall the Cell Cycle
In response to DNA damage, cells can pause the cell cycle to assess and repair the breaks. However, the cell must check the DNA at certain critical stages during the cell cycle. If the cell cycle pauses before DNA replication, the cells will contain twice the amount of DNA. On the other hand, if cells arrest after DNA replication but before mitosis, they will contain four times the normal amount of DNA. With a host of specialized proteins at their disposal,cells must use the right protein at...
02:21Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell
Cancer arises from mutations in the critical genes that allow healthy cells to escape cell cycle regulation and acquire the ability to proliferate indefinitely. Though originating from a single mutation event in one of the originator cells, cancer progresses when the mutant cell lines continue to gain more and more mutations, and finally, become malignant. For example, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) develops initially as a non-lethal increase in white blood cells, which progressively...