Question

Is a cell-surface receptor for mitogen a common target of oncogenic mutations?

Answer 1

Oncogenic mutations:

1. Cell surface receptors are made up of lipid polysaccharides or proteins that help bind to various ligands.
2. The receptors for mitogens (cancerous molecules that increase the rate of cell division) are also common targets of oncogenic mutations.
3. The cell surface receptors comprise protein kinase domains.
4. Alterations in protein kinase domains such as deletions or point mutations can lead to hyperactivity which will, in turn, cause mitogen-independent kinase activity.
5. Therefore, some cancers are found to be associated with an increase in the production of mitogen receptors.
6. Hence, this results in cells that can be stimulated by low degrees of mitogen which generally fails to stimulate division.