Cancer and the cell cycle

Question

Regulatory molecule controlling the cell cycle is continuously phosphorylated and results in The production of proteins that cause The cell cycle to progress. What molecule is most likely the target of the phosphorylation ?

1)DNA

2) retinoblastoma

3)oncogene

4) proto-oncogene

i am stuck between picking 2 and 4 because I know that both contol the cell cycle. But it seems like maybe 4 can do more than control the cell cycle maybe? My textbook was not very clear.

Thanks for the help/explain action in advance!

Answer 1

The answer to your question is Retinoblastoma. While you have the right idea with proto-oncogene, there is no 100% guarantee that this oncogene has anything to do with the cell cycle. Proto-oncogene just means that if it is mutated it can cause cancer, but it doesn't always have to do with the cell cycle. However, for cell cycle to progress, Retinoblastoma has to be phosphorylated, which is what allows the cell cycle to move forward. If you have any more questions please feel free to message me.

Answer 2

Retinoblastoma is the most likely molecule to be a target for phosphorylation. Phosphorylation is often used to activate/deactivate proteins and Retinoblastoma is a regulatory protein responsible for helping to regulate the cell cycle and cell division in some cells. All the other answer choices are effected by regulatory molecules, but are not themselves regulatory molecules. A proto onco gene may have an effect on the cell cycle when it is mutated, but it is not itself directly phosphorylated in the regulation of the cell cycle. I hope this makes sense, let me know if you need more help!