Tumor-suppressor genes ________.
A) are frequently overexpressed in cancerous cells
B) are cancer-causing genes introduced into cells by viruses
C) encode proteins that help prevent uncontrolled cell growth
D) often encode proteins that stimulate the cell cycle

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Tumor-suppressor genes encode proteins that help prevent uncontrolled cell growth, which is a hallmark of cancer. When these genes are mutated or deleted, cells may have a greater potential to become cancerous. Tumor-suppressor genes are not overexpressed in cancerous cells, nor are they cancer-causing genes introduced by viruses. They also do not encode proteins that stimulate the cell cycle.

Tumor-Suppressor Genes ________