What are the key cellular structures involved in cancer?
The primary cellular structures implicated in cancer include the nucleus, mitochondria, the ribosomes, and the cytoskeleton. The DNA housed in the nucleus is often mutated in cancer, leading to deregulation of cell cycle and apoptosis. Mitochondria are implicated due to their role in energy metabolism and apoptotic pathways. Ribosomes and protein synthesis machinery may be upregulated to meet the demands of rapidly dividing cancer cells, while alterations in the cytoskeleton can facilitate metastasis.
