Question

HLT class. Health promotion and disease prevention

Name two types of genes that the epigenome controls and that have an effect on cancer?

Answer 1

Answer: The name of two types of genes that the epigenome controls and that have an effect on cancer are Proto-oncogene such as HER2 gene and tumor suppressor gene like p53. The HER2 gene codes for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 which is a transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor, involved in cell division, growth and repair of breast cells. The epigenome controls the expression of this gene by methylation or acetylation. When higher expression of this gene occurs due to acetylation it results in the development of breast cancer. Similarly the tumor suppressor gene p53 is also under the control of epigenome which involved in cell cycle checkpoint. p53 detects DNA damage and halts cell cycle untill the damage is completely repaired. If expression of p53 is inhibited due to changes in the epigenome then there are high chances of passing damaged DNA or mutated DNA through the cell cycle without any checkpoint arrest which may lead to cause various types of cancer.