tumoursuppressorgener
Tumour suppressor genes are genes that encode proteins that regulate cell growth, promote DNA repair, and maintain genomic stability. They act to prevent uncontrolled cell division and tumor development by enforcing cell cycle checkpoints, inducing apoptosis in damaged cells, and influencing senescence. Loss or inactivation of these genes can remove critical safeguards against cancer, allowing cells to accumulate mutations and proliferate.
Most tumor suppressor gene dysfunction follows the two-hit model: both gene copies must be inactivated for
Functional categories include cell cycle control (for example RB1, CDKN2A), DNA repair (TP53, BRCA1/BRCA2, MLH1, MSH2),
Clinical relevance: Germline mutations underlie several hereditary cancer syndromes (e.g., Li-Fraumeni from TP53 and familial adenomatous