The spelling of "Growth Suppressor Genes" follows the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) with the phonetic transcription /ɡroʊθ səˈprɛsər dʒiːnz/. The initial sound is a voiced velar plosive, followed by a diphthong /oʊ/ and an unvoiced alveolar fricative. The second word begins with a schwa sound, followed by a voiceless postalveolar affricate and a voiced alveolar nasal. The last word starts with a voiced palato-alveolar affricate and ends with a voiced alveolar nasal. "Growth Suppressor Genes" are genes that regulate cell growth and prevent uncontrolled cell division, a characteristic of cancer cells.
Growth suppressor genes, also known as tumor suppressor genes, are a class of genes that regulate and control cell growth and proliferation. These genes play a crucial role in maintaining normal cellular function and preventing the formation of tumors or the progression of cancer.
The main function of growth suppressor genes is to restrain or suppress cell division by inhibiting the signals that promote cell growth or by activating mechanisms that induce cell death (apoptosis) in case of cellular abnormalities. In a healthy individual, these genes act as a check and balance system, ensuring that cells divide and grow in a controlled manner.
However, when growth suppressor genes become altered or mutated, their normal function can be disrupted, leading to uncontrolled cell growth and the development of tumors. Mutations in growth suppressor genes can be inherited from parents or acquired during a person's lifetime due to exposure to certain environmental factors or spontaneous errors in DNA replication.
Examples of well-known growth suppressor genes include p53, BRCA1, and BRCA2. Mutations in these genes have been associated with various types of cancer, including breast, ovarian, and colon cancers. Therefore, the study and understanding of growth suppressor genes are essential for the development of targeted therapies and early detection strategies in cancer treatment.