Cell signaling Techonogy: 1) Genome Instability and Mutations: - Genome instability can lead to mutations that drive oncogenic activation. Cells have many mechanisms by which to maintain proper genomic regulation through repair and cell death. Many of these mechanisms are defective in cancer cells that continue to proliferate, contributing to tumor progression. - The role of DNA methylation in Genome stability. Epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation have the ability to change functional protein levels and affect genomic integrity. When DNA is hyper- and/or hypomethylated, it can affect cell cycle progression and checkpoint regulation, which can lead to cancer progression. - As the cell undergoes the phases of the cell cycle, it must maintain genomic integrity to prevent mutations. The cell cycle has mechanisms by which errors can be identified, repaired, and stopped at checkpoints. Genomic instability results from a deregulated cell cycle and leads to oncogenic transformation. // There are several pathways in cell cycle regulation to maintain genomic integrity. which helps prevent cancer. These include cycle checkpoints for DNA damage and senescence signaling. - DNA Damage Response Interactive Pathway. When DNA is damaged, several repair mehcanisms are employed. If the damage is not repaired properly, mutations can proliferate and cause diseases and cancer. 2) Avoiding Immune Destruction: => Understand the importance of the Tumor Microenvironment (TME) in Immune Evasion: - The TME plays an important role in tumor growth and spread. Inside the TME is an interconnected complex network composed of different biochemical constituents and cell types that can be highly immunosuppressive. Growing tumors will promote phenotypes for tumor cell survival to avoid detection by immune system. - The role of Immune Checkpoint signaling in Tumor progression. Composition of TME can influence response to immune checkpoint signaling, resulting in immune suppression and allowing for tumor growth. 3) Avoiding Growth Suppressors: => Cell cycle regulation in Cancer - Abberant cell cycle control can lead to mutations in genes that suppress growth in reponse to DNA damage. Cancer cells evade growth suppressors and continue to proliferate at a high rate. - DNA damage plays a key role in cancer initiation and progression. Induction of DNA damage through UV radiation is an accessible way to investigate DNA repair pathways and mechanisms in cancer.