5. Imagine that you have developed a specific anti-cancer drug that is successfu

Question

5. Imagine that you have developed a specific anti-cancer drug that is successful in reducing the size of a tumor. After further experiments, you find that in addition to decreasing tumor size, the drug also greatly reduces the number of cadherins on the surfaces of tumor cells. Patients taking the drug go into remission (i.e. are temporarily free of signs of cancer) when the tumor shrinks. However, the cancer later returns and is found to have spread. Based on your knowledge of the function of cadherins and developmental processes, give a probable explanation for why the cancer is now found in multiple places. (2 points)

Explanation / Answer

Cadherins are a type of cell adhesion molecule that is essential in the formation of adherens junctions to bind cells with each other. The cadherins have both receptor and ligand properties. They are responsible for cellular migration, separation of tissue layers and positioning of cells. Cadherins are classified into many subclasses including E (epithelial), N (neuronal) and P (placental).

E-Cadherins play a very vital role in cell adhesion. The E-cadherin and catenin protein forms E-cadherin-catenin complex for regulating intracellular adhesion. It functions as a block for cancer causing particles and when it is affected the adacent cells are also affected. So the cancer becomes malignant and spreads rapidly.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse 5
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.