The malignant tumor is generated by activation of oncogene products and inactivation of tumor suppressor gene products. Define whether a gene that regulates cell division, apoptosis, angiogenesis and metastasis is an oncogene or tumor suppressor gene. Explain why oncogenes act in a dominant fashion and tumor suppressor genes in a recessive fashion. Explain the mechanism by which the Ras pathway MAPKs can regulate the mitochondrial pathway.
Malignant tumors contain cells that have the ability to metastasize.
Explain the role of type IV collagenases and urokinaes plaminogen activator in metastasis. Explain the role of laminin receptors in the three-step mechanism proposed for basement membrane invasion by tumor cells. List the inducers and inhibitors of vascular endothelial cell proliferation in angiogenesis. Describe the cellular changes that occur when an endothelial cell receives a pro-angiogeneic signal. Explain the origins of the anti-angiogeneic factors angiostatin and endostatin.