In cancer, mRNA expression can be altered through various mechanisms, including gene mutations, epigenetic changes, and post-transcriptional modifications. These alterations can lead to the overexpression of oncogenes or the underexpression of tumor suppressor genes. For instance, mutations in the TP53 gene can result in the production of a dysfunctional p53 protein, which fails to regulate the cell cycle and apoptosis, contributing to cancer progression.
