Why don't plants get cancer?
Article Abstract:
Study of cell growth and division in plants shows that varying the number of cells has negligible effect on the appearance of the plant, thus making them resistant to tumors. Cell lineage or genealogy has no role to play in determining the identity of plant cells. Cell proliferation controls, although very similar, are organised differently in plants and animals. Plant tumors originate only during their interaction with pathogens or gall forming insects. Overexpression of protein B-cyclin increases the number of cells, whereas the use of cyclin-dependent kinase protein leads to a decrease.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1996
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Degradation of the cyclin-dependent-kinase inhibitor p27Kip1 is instigated by Jab1
Article Abstract:
Mammalian cell proliferation is strictly controlled and an essential participant in the regulation is the cyclin-dependent-kinase inhibitory protein p27Kip1. P27Kip1 mutations are rarely seen in human tumours, reduced expression correlates with poor survival in patients with certain carcinomas. This suggests that disruption contributes to neoplasia. A mouse 38K protein (P38) encoded with Jab1 gene was found to specifically interact with P27Kip1, and overexpression leads to translocation of p27Kip1 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1999
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