Please complete the following two assignments by Friday November 6th

Assignment #1
Beyond carrying out the tasks of routine metabolism, the cell must duplicate its components
most importantly, its genome so that it can physically split into two complete daughter cells.
The cell must also pass through a series of checkpoints that ensure conditions are favorable for
division. At each checkpoint, specialized proteins determine whether the necessary conditions
exist. If so, the cell is free to enter the next phase. If not, progression through the cell cycle is
halted. Errors in these checkpoints can have catastrophic consequences, including cell death or
the unrestrained growth that is cancer.
Please select a protein that functions to regulate the

cell cycle and answer the following questions:

1. Briefly outline the normal function of this protein with respect to the cell cycle.
a. Describe how this protein is positively and negatively regulated.
b. What are the downstream signaling targets?
2. What specific pathological condition results from expression of the mutant form of the
gene? (Cancer types)
3. Current treatment for most prevalent cancer type associated with mutant gene?

Assignment #2
Apoptosis is the tightly controlled pattern of cell death necessary for typical growth and
development in multicellular organisms. Defective apoptosis can result in abnormal
development and pathogenesis. Please select a protein that plays a key role in the apoptotic
pathway and answer the following questions:
1. Briefly outline the normal function of this protein with respect to the apoptotic signaling
pathway.
a. Describe how this protein is positively and negatively regulated.
b. What are the downstream signalling targets?
2. What specific pathological condition results from expression of the mutant form of the
gene? (Cancer types)
3. Current treatment for most prevalent cancer type associated with mutant gene?