How do Genetic Mutations Influence Cancer Phenotypes?
Cancer is fundamentally a genetic disease, and various genetic mutations can lead to uncontrolled cell growth. Mutations in oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and DNA repair genes are particularly critical. For instance, mutations in the TP53 gene can lead to loss of function of the p53 protein, a crucial tumor suppressor, allowing cells to proliferate uncontrollably. Similarly, mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are linked to a higher risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
