How Do Gene Regulatory Networks Become Dysregulated in Cancer?
Cancer is a result of multiple genetic and epigenetic alterations that disrupt normal cellular processes. Dysregulation in GRNs can arise from mutations in genes encoding transcription factors, alterations in signaling pathways, and changes in chromatin structure. For instance, mutations in the tumor suppressor gene TP53 can lead to loss of its regulatory control over a multitude of genes involved in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, thereby contributing to tumorigenesis.