Final answer:
The retinoblastoma protein (Rb) is the commonly mutated protein that can lead to the development of retinoblastomas, which are tumors of the retina. Mutations in the Rb gene allow for unregulated cell growth and tumor formation. Such mutations are associated with various human cancers and may eventually lead to metastasis, especially in the late stages of the disease.
Step-by-step explanation:
The commonly mutated cancer protein that causes the formation of retinoblastomas is the retinoblastoma protein (Rb). When functioning properly, the Rb protein regulates the cell cycle by controlling the transition from the G1 phase to the S phase, thus preventing uncontrolled cell proliferation. Mutations in the Rb gene lead to a dysfunctional protein that can no longer regulate the cell cycle effectively, resulting in unregulated cell growth and the formation of tumors such as retinoblastomas, which are cancers of the retina.
Mutations in genes like Rb and p53 are associated with many human cancers, including pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, and others. These mutations allow cells to escape normal apoptosis (cell death) and to proliferate uncontrollably, which can lead to tumor formation.
In the late stages of cancer, cells can spread through the blood to distant sites, a process known as metastasis. Different types of cancers tend to metastasize to specific organs, and the liver is a common site for metastatic cancer growth from other organs like the pancreas and colon.