Mutations and Cancer: The Role of P53 and HPV

This lecture discusses the mechanisms of mutations and their implications in cancer biology, focusing on the role of the P53 protein and the impact of human papillomavirus (HPV). The instructor begins by explaining the transformation caused by papillomavirus, highlighting how viral integration into the host genome can lead to uncontrolled cell division. The lecture then transitions to the importance of checkpoints in the cell cycle, particularly the G1/S checkpoint regulated by the RB protein. The instructor emphasizes the critical role of P53 in monitoring DNA damage and its function as a tumor suppressor. When DNA is damaged, P53 can halt the cell cycle to allow for repair or induce apoptosis if the damage is irreparable. The discussion includes the consequences of P53 mutations, which are prevalent in various cancers, and how HPV can inhibit P53 function, leading to tumorigenesis. The lecture concludes with a summary of the types of mutations and their evolutionary significance, reinforcing the connection between genetic mutations and cancer development.