Cell cycle and cancer: decoding key pathways with AnyGnes®

Cell cycle and cancer are closely intertwined, as the cell cycle governs how cells grow, replicate their DNA, and divide into two identical daughter cells. This process is tightly controlled by checkpoints and protein interactions to ensure accurate division. However, when these regulatory mechanisms break down, it can result in cancer, marked by uncontrolled cell proliferation.

AnyGenes^® Cell Cycle and Cancer Signaling Pathway qPCR Array is a cutting-edge tool designed to analyze key genes involved in cell cycle regulation and their dysregulation in cancer. Accelerate your discoveries with AnyGenes^® solutions and explore the molecular mechanisms driving cancer progression.

Discover our advanced qPCR arrays for Cell Cycle and Cancer research.

Model of Cell Cycle Progression

The stages of cell cycle

The cell cycle consists of several distinct phases:

G0 Phase: A resting state where cells perform their normal functions without dividing.
G1 Phase (Gap 1): The cell grows and prepares for DNA replication.
S Phase (Synthesis): DNA is replicated, resulting in two copies of each chromosome.
G2 Phase (Gap 2): The cell prepares for mitosis, ensuring all DNA is correctly replicated.
M Phase (Mitosis): The cell divides its copied DNA and cytoplasm to form two new cells.

Regulation of cell cycle

The progression through these phases is tightly controlled by proteins known as cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). Cyclins activate CDKs, which then phosphorylate target proteins to drive the cell cycle forward. Additionally, tumor suppressor proteins like p53 play a crucial role by monitoring DNA integrity and halting the cycle if damage is detected. If the damage is irreparable, p53 can initiate programmed cell death (apoptosis) to prevent the propagation of defective cells.

The link between cell cycle dysregulation and cancer

Cell cycle dysregulation is a hallmark of cancer, driven by alterations in key genes and signaling pathways that control cell proliferation, growth, and survival. Below are the critical markers often implicated in this process:

Cyclins and CDKs: Overexpression of cyclins (e.g., Cyclin D, Cyclin E) and dysregulation of CDKs (e.g., CDK4/6) drive uncontrolled cell division.
Tumor Suppressors: Loss of p53 (mutated in over 50% of cancers) and RB disrupts cell cycle checkpoints.
Checkpoint Regulators: ATM, ATR, and CHK1/CHK2 ensure DNA integrity; their dysregulation compromises genomic stability.
Oncogenes: MYC and RAS promote unchecked proliferation and are frequently overactivated in cancers.
DNA Damage Response (DDR): Mutations in BRCA1/BRCA2 and overexpression of MDM2 inhibit DNA repair, promoting tumor growth.
Apoptosis Regulators: Imbalance in BCL2 family proteins enables cancer cells to evade cell death.
Epigenetic Modifiers: EZH2 and DNMTs silence tumor suppressor genes, fostering unchecked growth.

Therapeutic applications

Understanding the relationship between the cell cycle and cancer has significant implications for treatment strategies. Targeting specific components of the cell cycle has become a promising approach in cancer therapy. For instance:

CDK Inhibitors: These drugs specifically inhibit cyclin-CDK complexes involved in promoting cell division. They have shown potential in treating various cancers by restoring control over the cell cycle.
Chemotherapy: Many chemotherapy agents are designed to target specific phases of the cell cycle, effectively disrupting cancer cell proliferation at critical points.

Analyze your pathway data with AnyGenes® software

Scientific data is only as powerful as the analysis behind it.

AnyGenes® provides a dedicated data analysis tool specifically developed for SignArrays® pathway panels.

What does it allow you to do?

Automated ΔCq calculation
Normalization with selected housekeeping genes
Comparison of up to 10 experimental conditions
Generation of descriptive statistics
Publication-ready graphs
Exportable tables for manuscripts and presentations

Developed on Excel (compatible with 2007+), the software is user-friendly and requires no advanced bioinformatics skills.

Customize your own signaling pathways (SignArrays®) with the factors of your choice!
Simply download and complete our Personalized SignArrays® information file and send it at [email protected] to initiate your project.

Cell cycle & cancer signaling pathway biomarker list

You can check the biomarker list included in this pathway, see below:

Species : Homo sapiens (human)

Human signaling pathways

Signaling Pathways	Product ref	Informations
Cell Cycle & Cancer	CCC1H1	Download biomarker list

Species : Mus musculus (mouse)

Mouse signaling pathways

Signaling Pathways	Product ref	Informations
Cell Cycle & Cancer	CCC1M1	Download biomarker list

Species : Rattus norvegicus (rat)

Rat signaling pathways

Signaling Pathways	Product ref	Informations
Cell Cycle & Cancer	*******	Biomarker list in progress.

Species : Sus Scrofa (Pig)

Pig signaling pathways

Signaling Pathways	Product ref	Informations
Cell Cycle & Cancer	*******	Biomarker list in progress.

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Bibliography

1. Icard P et al. Interconnection between Metabolism and Cell Cycle in Cancer. Trends Biochem Sci. (2019);44(6):490-501.

2. Zou T et Lin Z. The Involvement of Ubiquitination Machinery in Cell Cycle Regulation and Cancer Progression. Int J Mol Sci. (2021);22(11):5754.

3. Leal-Esteban L & Fajas L. Cell cycle regulators in cancer cell metabolism. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis. (2020);1866(5):165715.

4. Caglar HO & Biray Avci C. Alterations of cell cycle genes in cancer: unmasking the role of cancer stem cells. Mol Biol Rep. (2020);47(4):3065-3076.

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