Mechanisms of Mutation in Non-Dividing Cells

摘要

When cancers develop in tissues of non-dividing or slowly growing cells, the first cancerous cell must acquire mutations to become transformed and escape growth regulation. Mutational mechanisms unique to non-growing cells may facilitate this progression from quiescence to division. Similarly, when tumors develop resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs, such as mitotic inhibitors, they acquire mutations and other changes that allow growth in the presence of the drugs. Moreover, the growth stage when mutation is most active is not known. G(o), the analog of bacterial stationary phase, could be an important period for spontaneous mutation. To understand these processes, it is important to elucidate the mechanism(s) of mutation in non-dividing and slowly growing cells.