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Cycling and Cancer
02 June 2012

Cycling and Cancer

Millions of new cells are being made in your body as you read this sentence. Scientists measure the cell cycle from the point of birth to the point at which a cell divides again. There are many checks and balances that ensure smooth progression through the cycle. Accidents will happen, however, and cancer ensues when the balance goes askew. Cells divide uncontrollably to form tumours. This can occur when some proteins block the production of others, interrupting the cell cycle. Under the microscope this fruit fly larvae wing has been dyed (green) to reveal posterior sex combs (PSC), a protein that can block the cell cycle. Somehow it hampers the production of cyclin B, one of the key ‘managers’ of this cycle. Scientists here try to decipher at which stage the blockage is implemented. Blockage must occur after the signal to make cyclin B (red line).

Written by Andrew Purcell

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BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

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