Strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) that cause cervical cancer express many genes that the cervical cells that they infect do not. One of these viral genes encodes a protein that binds to and inactivates p53, increasing the chances of the infected cell becoming cancerous. Which of the following is an accurate description of this viral protein?

The viral protein is amplifying p53 activity.

The viral protein is a mutagen.

The viral protein is a tumor suppressor.

The viral protein is the product of an oncogene.

Question

Biology

Josephine Meza

13 February, 16:50

Strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) that cause cervical cancer express many genes that the cervical cells that they infect do not. One of these viral genes encodes a protein that binds to and inactivates p53, increasing the chances of the infected cell becoming cancerous. Which of the following is an accurate description of this viral protein?

The viral protein is amplifying p53 activity.

The viral protein is a mutagen.

The viral protein is a tumor suppressor.

The viral protein is the product of an oncogene.

+3

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Dean Turner · Answer 1

Definitely, the viral protein is a mutagen

Explanation:

A mutagen is any agent or substance that can cause genetic mutation, that may lead to cancer.

Because it is important for cells in the human body to suppress cancer, the body cells including cervical cells has a "guard" that conserves stability by preventing genetic mutation, this "guard" is known as p53. p53 is usually known as tumour suppressor gene

Strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) must have released a viral protein (mutagen) that would inactivated p53 from carrying out its duties of: DNA repair, DNA damage recognition, and programmed cell death (if DNA repair is impossible) in the cervical cells