APFIVE Explaining Tumor Suppressor Gene Ineffectiveness
In an experiment to observe the effects of a tumor suppressor gene, a researcher uses a gene editing tool to introduce a tumor suppressor gene into cancerous cells. After several days, the researcher notes no change in the proliferation rate of the cancerous cells. The correct tumor suppressor gene was used. What could be the conceptual mistake?
A
The gene editing tool did not introduce the gene into the cells’ genome.
B
The tumor suppressor gene was introduced into non-dividing cells.
C
The cancerous cells may have other mutations that negate the effect of the tumor suppressor gene.
D
The concentration of cells was too high for the gene to have an effect.