Also called anticancer genes. Genes within a cell’s DNA that code for (i.e., cause to be manufactured in cell’s ribosomes) proteins that hold the cell’s growth in check. If these genes are damaged (e.g., by radiation, by a carcinogen, or by chance accident in normal cell division), they no longer hold cell growth in check—and the cell becomes malignant (if the cell’s DNA also contains a gene called an oncogene).
Oncogenes must be present for the cell to become malignant, but oncogenes cannot cause a cell to become malignant until a tumorsuppressor gene is damaged.
As with all genes, tumor-suppressor genes are inherited in two copies (alleles, one from each parent) and either copy can code for the proteins necessary for cell growth control. However, an organism that is bom with one defective copy of a tumor-suppressor gene (or in whom one copy is damaged early in life) is especially prone to cancer (malignancy).
Genetic material that controls the growth of cells, decreasing the effects of cancer-producing stimuli.
Genes that inhibit or stop cell growth and division. The products of tumor suppressor genes function in all parts of the cell. In the absence of functioning tumor suppressor genes, or when mutations have occurred in them, cell growth is unchecked, and the cells tend to divide at an uncontrolled rate, which is characteristic of cancer cells.
A gene that suppresses the growth of malignant cells.
A gene that plays a role in regulating regular cell growth and safeguarding against the development of cancer.