Genetics: Analysis and Principles 5th Edition by Robert Brooker

Exercise 2

Several research studies are under way that involve the use of gene therapies to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. As discussed in Chapter 24, oncogenes are mutant genes that are overexpressed and cause cancer. New gene therapies are aimed at silencing an oncogene by producing antisense RNA that recognizes the mRNA transcribed from an oncogene. Based on your understanding of antisense RNA (described in Chapters 14 and 16), explain how this strategy would prevent the growth of cancer cells.