1_Breast cancer is often treated with vincristine (originally derived from Vinca

Question

1_Breast cancer is often treated with vincristine (originally derived from Vinca rosea), in which it interferes with microtubule formation, thus chromosomes can't separate properly during mitosis- resulting in apoptosis of those cells.

Conduct a search and answer the following:

a) Explain how vincristin works in interfering with proper microtubule formation  

b) Be sure to cite any references used in your research according to the Journal of Cell Biology format. Please use legitimate sources as references

2_You have a friend with a young sibling who has actin-accumulation myopathy. This disorder is a result of a faulty ACTA1 gene, which makes skeletal alpha (?)-actin proteins.

The young sibling has muscle weakness, poor muscle tone, and had difficulty swallowing when it was an infant. The mutations of this gene may result in the way that ATP binds actin.

a) Why does the binding of ATP matter with the proper functioning of actin

b) can you find anything specifically relating to this disease that is notable?  

Explanation / Answer

1. a. Vincristine is a microtubule destabilizing agent, which inhibit microtubule polymerization at high concentrations. It causes suppression of spindle microtubule dynamics. This results in the slowing are blocking of mitosis at the metaphase anaphase transition and induction of apoptotic cell death.

b. Mitchison Tj. Microtubule dynamics and kinetochores function in mitosis. Annu Rev Cell Biology. 1988;4:527-49

2. a. The myosin heads bind and hydrolyse ATP, which provides the energy to drive filament sliding. This translation of chemical energy to movement is mediated by changes in the shape of myosin resulting from atp-binding
The cycle starts with myosin tightly bound to actin. ATP binding dissociates the myosin actin complex and the hydrolysis of ATP then induces a conformational change in myosin. This change affects the neck region of myosin that binds the light chains.

b. No I don't find anything as notable.

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