There are several types of proteins that can be involved in cancer, including:
Oncogenes: These are proteins that promote cell growth and division. When mutated, they can cause normal cells to become cancerous. Examples include the RAS protein family. Tumor Suppressors: These proteins act as brakes on cell growth and division. Mutations in tumor suppressor genes can remove these brakes, leading to cancer. The RB and p53 proteins are classic examples. DNA Repair Proteins: These proteins fix errors that occur during DNA replication. Mutations in these proteins can result in an accumulation of genetic errors, leading to cancer. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are well-known DNA repair proteins associated with breast and ovarian cancer.
