Molecular Biology of the Cell (Sixth Edition)
Molecular Biology of the Cell (Sixth Edition)
6th Edition
ISBN: 9780815344322
Author: Bruce Alberts, Alexander D. Johnson, Julian Lewis, David Morgan, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter Walter
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
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Chapter 20, Problem 1P
Summary Introduction

To examine: Whether the statement “The chemical carcinogen dimethybenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) must be an extraordinarily specific mutagen since 90% of the skin tumors it causes have an A-to-T alteration at exactly the same site in the mutant Ras gene” is true or false.

Concept introduction: Mutagens are agents which cause mutation in the gene which results in truncated protein. Ras is an oncogene, which is normally a part of MAP kinase pathway involved in cell cycle. Ras controls cell growth and survival. Skin tumors or melanoma is the abnormal proliferation of epithelial cells of the skin. 7, 12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) is a powerful mutagen and immunosuppressor.

Expert Solution & Answer
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Answer to Problem 1P

Correct answer: The statement is false.

Explanation of Solution

DMBA is a non-specific carcinogen and causes transversion mutation that is, a purine changed to pyrimidine all over the genome. The purine to pyrimidine transversion mutation in Ras causes a change from Adenine (A) to Thymine (T). Ras is a proto-oncogene. Ras gets the gain of function mutation where a transition from A to T occur which results in Ras turning into an oncogene.

Conclusion
DMBA is thus not an extraordinarily specific carcinogen. Its transversion mutation causes Ras to turn it into an oncogene from proto-oncogene. Hence, the statement is false.

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