The Molecular Biology of Cancer

The Molecular Biology of Cancer discusses the state of progress in the molecular biology of cancer. The book describes the effects of anticancer agents on nucleolar ultrastructure; the role of chromosomes in the causation and progression of cancer and leukemia; the replication, modification, and repair of DNA. The text also describes the metabolism and utilization of messenger RNA and other high molecular weight RNA and low molecular weight nuclear RNA; the characteristics, structures, and functions of nuclear proteins; and the process of protein synthesis. Nucleotides are reviewed with regard to its biosynthesis, inhibition of synthesis, and development of resistance to inhibitors. The book further tackles the biochemical mechanisms of chemical carcinogenesis; the oncogenic viruses; and the molecular correlation concept. The text also demonstrates phenotypic variability as a manifestation of translational control; and plasmacytomas. Molecular biologists, virologists, pathologists, cell biologists, oncologists, pharmacologists, and students taking related courses will find the book useful.

List of Contributors Preface AcknowledgmentsPart I General Aspects Of Molecular Biology Of Cancer Chapter I Introduction I. The Importance of Cancer as a Disease II. The Biological Nature of the Cancer Cell III. What and Where Are the Genes IV. How Many Genetic Changes Does It Take to Convert a Normal Cell to a Cancer Cell V. Random Repression of Normal Cell Phenotypes in Cancer Cells VI. Experimental Tumors VII. Number of Operating "Cancer Genes" VIII. The Chromosomes IX. Evidence for the Role of DNA as Genetically Active Material X. Other Evidence for the Role of DNA in Hereditary Transmission XI. Less Direct Evidence for the Role of DNA in the Transfer or Retention of Hereditary Characteristics XII. Relevance of the Role of DNA as a Transmitting Substance to the Cancer Problem XIII. Problems in Isolation and Analysis of Nuclear Components XIV. Molecular Biology of Human Cancer References Chapter II The Nucleus of the Cancer Cell I. Introduction II. Electron Microscopic Studies on Nucleoli of Cancer Cells III. Effects of Anticancer Agents on Nucleolar Ultrastructure IV. Nuclear RNP Particles in Tumor Cells V. Summary References Chapter III Chromosomes in the Causation and Progression of Cancer and Leukemia I. Introduction II. The Chromosomes in Normal Cells III. The Chromosomes in Benign and Malignant Neoplasia References Chapter IV DNA: Replication, Modification, and Repair I. Introduction II. Historical Perspectives: The Structure of DNA III. DNA Synthesis: Enzymic Aspects IV. DNA Synthesis: Mechanistic Considerations in Higher Organisms V. Modification of DNA VI. The Repair of DNA VII. Reprise: DNA and Carcinogenesis References Chapter V Messenger RNA and Other High Molecular Weight RNA I. Introduction II. The Complexity of the Problem III. Metabolism of mRNA IV. Specific mRNA V. Utilization of Informational RNA VI. High Molecular Weight RNA of the Nucleolus VII. Summary References Chapter VI Low Molecular Weight Nuclear RNA I. Introduction II. Classification and Number of Low Molecular Weight RNA's III. Localization of Low Molecular Weight RNA in the Cell IV. Presence of Low Molecular Weight RNA in Various Tissues V. Specific Classes of Low Molecular Weight RNA VI. Functions of Low Molecular Weight RNA References Chapter VII Nucleotides: Biosynthesis, Inhibition of Synthesis, and Development of Resistance to Inhibitors I. Introduction II. Pyrimidine Biosynthesis III. Purine Biosynthesis IV. Antifolic Acid Drugs V. Resistance References Chapter VIII Nuclear Proteins I. Introduction II. General Characteristics of Histones III. The Structures of Histones IV. Histones and Chromatin Structure V. Modified Amino Acids in Histones VI. Histone Synthesis and Metabolism VII. Functions of Histones VIII. Nonhistone Nuclear Proteins IX. The Nuclear Enzymes References Chapter IX Protein Synthesis I. Introduction II. Systems for Protein Biosynthesis III. Mammalian Amino Acid-Incorporating Systems IV. Specific Aspects of Protein Synthesis as Related to the Cancer Cell V. Summary References Part II Molecular Biological Aspects of Carcinogenesis Chapter X Biochemical Mechanisms of Chemical Carcinogenesis I. Gross Aspects of Chemicals as Carcinogens II. Chemical Carcinogenesis in Man III.