The protein c-Flip exists in two forms, a long form and a short form, and is involved in the cell death pathway. In colon cancer cells, what happens when the long form is expressed?
AIt results in increased cell growth instead of cell death
BIt results in immediate apoptosis of the cancer cell
CIt has no measurable effect on cell growth or death
DIt converts the cell into a normal, non-cancerous cell
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. It results in increased cell growth instead of cell death
1. The c-Flip protein comes in two forms, long (c-FLIPL) and short (c-FLIPS), both involved in initiating controlled cell death in normal cells.
2. In colon cancer cells, however, expression of the long form results in increased cell growth instead of cell death.
3. This shows that expressing the wrong protein form dramatically alters cell function and contributes to cancer.
4. Immediate apoptosis is the opposite outcome from the increased growth described for the long form in colon cancer cells.
5. No measurable effect or reversion to a normal cell state also contradicts the described outcome of increased cell growth.
_Source: OpenStax Biology (1st ed., CC BY 4.0), Ch 16 "Gene Expression", section Cancer and Translational/Post-translational Control_
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