Question

In addition to mutations in the coding region and regulatory elements, oncogenes often arise by which type of mutation?

A Gene amplification
B Nonhomologous recombination
C Splice mutations
D Interstitial deletions
E Inversions

Answer 1

Oncogenes often arise by gene amplification, which leads to many copies of oncogenes that result in their overexpression and contribute to cancer cell growth.

Step-by-step explanation:

In addition to mutations in the coding region and regulatory elements, oncogenes often arise by gene amplification. This involves the cell gaining many copies of a small chromosomal locus that usually contains one or more oncogenes and adjacent genetic material. Gene amplification leads to overexpression of oncogenes, contributing to the uncontrolled division and growth characteristic of cancer cells. Large-scale mutations such as translocation, where two separate chromosomal regions become abnormally fused, are also involved in the formation of oncogenes, as seen in the well-known Philadelphia chromosome in chronic myelogenous leukemia.