A gene whose expression in a cell is lethal for that cell.
S uicide genes form the basis of a strategy for making cancer cells more vulnerable,
more sensitive to chemotherapy. The approach has been to attach parts of genes expressed
in cancer cells to other genes for enzymes not found in mammals that can convert
a harmless substance into one that is toxic to the tumor.
Most suicide genes mediate this sensitivity by coding for viral or bacterial
enzymes that convert an inactive drug into toxic antimetabolites that inhibit the
synthesis of nucleic acid. Suicide genes must be introduced into cells in ways that
ensure their uptake and expression by as many cancer cells as possible, while limiting
their expression by normal cells. Suicide gene therapy for cancer requires the vector
to have the capacity to discriminate between target and nontarget cells, between
the cancer cells and normal cells.
medical
dictionary, online medical dictionary, medical
terminology dictionary, free online medical
dictionary, medical dictionary, online medical
dictionary, medical terminology dictionary, free
online medical dictionary, dictionary medical,
dictionary medical online, dictionary medical
terminology, dictionary free medical online,
dictionary free medical, dictionary medical
terms, dictionary drug medical medicine,
dictionary health illustrated medical nursing
profession stedmans, dictionary English medical,
dictionary medical online terminology,
dictionary encyclopedia medical online,
condition dictionary medical, dictionary
medical, dictionary drug medical, medical
dictionary software, cyclopedic dictionary index
medical tabers thumb, medical dictionary, online
medical dictionary, medical terminology
dictionary
