Question

Cancer cells retain the intermediate filament (IF) proteins from their tissue of origin. How might this be important to cancer diagnosis?

1) IF proteins are important parts of cell division
2) Only cells with certain IF proteins can become cancerous
3) Inhibiting IF proteins will disrupt cell motility
4) Metastasizing tumors can be traced to their original cell type

Answer 1

Cancer cells retain intermediate filament (IF) proteins from their tissue of origin, which is important in cancer diagnosis. The retained IF proteins help identify the type of cancer and differentiate cancerous cells. Inhibiting IF proteins can disrupt cancer cell motility and can be a potential therapeutic target.

Step-by-step explanation:

Cancer cells retain the intermediate filament (IF) proteins from their tissue of origin, and this can be important in cancer diagnosis for several reasons:

1. Identification of Origin: Retaining the IF proteins from the tissue of origin allows for the identification of the type of cancer. By analyzing the specific IF proteins present, doctors can determine the tissue or organ from which the cancer originated.
2. Differentiation: The presence of specific IF proteins can distinguish cancerous cells from normal cells. Certain IF proteins are characteristic of cancer cells, and their presence can help differentiate cancer cells from healthy cells.
3. Therapeutic Targets: IF proteins play a role in cell motility, and inhibiting them can disrupt the ability of cancer cells to move and spread. This knowledge can be used to develop therapeutic strategies that target IF proteins and inhibit cancer metastasis.