Q.Write any four features of cancer cells.

p53, a tumour-suppressor protein, guards the genome by stopping damaged cells from dividing - repairing the DNA or destroying the cell - hence it is called the 'Guardian Angel of the Genome'.

The p53 protein is coded by the p53 (TP53) tumour-suppressor gene. It earns the title 'Guardian Angel of the cell's Genome' because of its protective role:

1. When a cell's DNA is damaged, p53 halts the cell cycle (arrests it, usually at a checkpoint), giving the cell time to repair the damaged DNA before it divides.
2. If the DNA damage is too severe to repair, p53 induces programmed cell death (apoptosis), so that the damaged, potentially cancerous cell is eliminated rather than being passed on. …

p53 is a tumour-suppressor protein that monitors DNA integrity and halts division of damaged cells, earning it the name "Guardian of the Genome."

The p53 protein is a tumour-suppressor gene product that plays a central role in maintaining the integrity of a cell's genetic material. When DNA damage is detected in a cell (e.g. due to radiation, chemicals, or replication errors), p53:

• Halts the cell cycle (at the G1 checkpoint) to allow time for DNA repair.
• Activates DNA-repair proteins.
• If the damage is irreparable, triggers programmed cell death (apoptosis), preventing the damaged/mutated cell from dividing and potentially becoming cancerous. …