Final answer:
An intragenic suppressor mutation is a second mutation within the same gene that compensates for the effects of the first and can restore protein function. Tumor suppressor genes like p53, when mutated, can lead to cancer by allowing uncontrolled cell growth.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of suppressor mutation that occurs in the same gene as that containing the mutation being suppressed is known as an intragenic suppressor mutation or intragenic suppression. An intragenic suppressor mutation can occur through various mechanisms, such as a second mutation within the same gene that compensates for the effects of the first mutation. This type of suppressor mutation can restore the function of the protein, even if it is not identical to the wild-type. Notably, tumor suppressor genes play a critical role in controlling cell growth, and mutations within these genes are associated with the development of cancer. The most studied tumor suppressor gene, p53, is mutated in more than 50% of all cancer types, leading to deregulated cell growth and tumor formation in terms of oncogenesis.