Final answer:
Abnormalities in protein metabolism with cancer include increased neurotransmitter and enzyme levels, lowered levels of specific proteins, defective isoenzymes, excretion of Bence Jones proteins, increased urinary polyamines, and excessive mucin production.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cancer is a disease of altered gene expression that can occur at various levels of protein metabolism. Abnormalities in protein metabolism that occur with cancer include increased levels of certain neurotransmitters and enzymes, lowered levels of specific proteins in blood, formation of defective isoenzymes, excretion of Bence Jones proteins in urine, and an increase in urinary polyamines. Additionally, cancer cells produce excessive mucins, which mask surface antigens on cells and protect them from immune surveillance.
Moreover, changes in gene expression can lead to alterations in protein function and contribute to the development of cancer. For example, the expression of alternative forms of proteins can have different outcomes, as observed in colon cancer cells with c-Flip protein. Understanding these abnormalities in protein metabolism is crucial for developing targeted therapies and personalized medicine to treat and prevent cancer.