Researchers used fruit flies and human lung cancer cells to study polyploid cells. Polyploid cells have extra sets of chromosomes. The team found that these cells make more proteins than normal cells.
The extra protein causes a cellular stress response. Stressed polyploid cells became more mobile and more likely to engulf neighbouring cells. When the researchers blocked the stress pathway, the polyploid cells showed less ability to move through tissues. The study suggests that targeting stress in these cells might help limit tumor spread.
Difficult words
- polyploid cell — cell with extra sets of chromosomespolyploid cells
- chromosome — structure that holds genes in a cellchromosomes
- protein — molecule cells make and use for functionsproteins
- cellular stress response — cell reaction to damage or high workload
- engulf — to surround and take in another cell
- tumor — abnormal mass of cells that can grow
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Discussion questions
- Why do you think stressed polyploid cells start to engulf neighbouring cells?
- How could targeting the stress pathway help limit tumor spread?
- Do you think using both fruit flies and human cells is useful for research? Why or why not?
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