Evolved for Cancer?

Posted on January 14, 2007  Comments (2)

Evolved for Cancer? by Carl Zimmer:

In cancer, cells play the role of organisms. Cancer- causing changes to DNA cause some cells to reproduce more effectively than ordinary ones. And even within a single tumor, more adapted cells may outcompete less successful ones.

Tumor suppressor proteins are among the most effective defenses against cancer. Studies suggest that some of these proteins prevent cancer by monitoring how a cell reproduces. If the cell multiplies in an abnormal way, the proteins induce it to die or to slip into senescence, a kind of early retirement. The cell survives, but it can no longer divide. Tumor suppressor proteins play a vital role in our survival, but scientists have recently discovered something strange about them: in some respects, we would be better off without them.

2 Responses to “Evolved for Cancer?”

  1. Curious Cat Science and Engineering Blog Evolved for Cancer | Cellulite Creams
    June 8th, 2009 @ 10:37 pm

    […] Curious Cat Science and Engineering Blog Evolved for Cancer Posted by root 9 minutes ago (http://engineering.curiouscatblog.net) It to die or to slip into senescence a kind of early retirement or blog obviously by the comment author that provides insight into them and engineering blog curiouscat com 2005 2008 powered by wordpress Discuss  |  Bury |  News | Curious Cat Science and Engineering Blog Evolved for Cancer […]

  2. Anonymous
    March 15th, 2012 @ 1:11 am

    Cancer is the general name for a group ofmore than 100 diseases in which cells in a part of the body begin to grow out of control. Although there are many kinds of cancer, they all start because abnormal cells grow out of control. Untreated cancers can cause serious illness and death.

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