Gene Functions

Gene Function Networks

High-authority cornerstone pages on the molecular systems that drive cancer — from DNA repair and cell cycle control to oncogenic signalling and angiogenesis.

Quick Answer

These pathway guides explain how cancer mutations alter biochemical signalling, checkpoint control, DNA repair, apoptosis, and therapeutic response. Each guide links the molecular mechanism to driver genes, cancer phenotypes, and targeted therapy resistance.

DNA Damage Response Genes

Every human cell sustains approximately 70,000 DNA damage events per day, ranging from base oxidations and replication errors to double-stra…

ATMBRCA1TP53CHEK2MDM2CDKN2A

6 pathway steps · 3 FAQs

Cell Cycle Regulation Genes

Cell division is governed by a biochemical oscillator built from cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and their cyclin regulatory subunits, oppos…

CDK4RB1CDKN2ATP53AKT1MYC

6 pathway steps · 3 FAQs

Apoptosis Regulators

Apoptosis — programmed cell death — is the cell's ultimate tumour-suppressive mechanism, eliminating cells with irreparable DNA damage, onco…

BCL2TP53AKT1PTENSTAT3MYC

6 pathway steps · 3 FAQs

Signalling Pathways

PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signalling Pathway

The PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway integrates growth-factor, nutrient and energy signals to regulate cell survival, growth and metabolism. Cancer can…

PIK3CAPTENAKT1MTOR

6 pathway steps · 2 FAQs

Signalling Pathways

RAS/MAPK Signalling Pathway

The RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK (MAPK) cascade is one of the most ancient and conserved proliferative signalling pathways in eukaryotes, from yeast to h…

KRASBRAFPIK3CAMYC

6 pathway steps · 2 FAQs

Signalling Pathways

Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Networks

Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are transmembrane proteins that convert extracellular growth factor signals into intracellular kinase activ…

EGFRHER2KRASPIK3CA

6 pathway steps · 2 FAQs

Tumor Angiogenesis

As solid tumours enlarge, diffusion limits create regions of hypoxia and nutrient stress. Many tumours respond by increasing pro-angiogenic …

VEGFAHIF1AAKT1MTOR

6 pathway steps · 2 FAQs

Tumor Suppressor Networks

Tumour suppressor genes encode proteins that actively restrain cell proliferation, promote DNA repair, or eliminate damaged cells. Unlike on…

TP53BRCA1PTENRB1MDM2CDKN2A

6 pathway steps · 2 FAQs

Oncogenic Signalling

Transcription Factor Oncogenes

Transcription factors are proteins that bind DNA regulatory sequences and control the expression of target genes. When mutated, amplified, o…

MYCSTAT3BCL2VEGFA

6 pathway steps · 2 FAQs

Homologous Recombination Repair

Homologous recombination (HR) repairs DNA double-strand breaks primarily in S/G2, when a sister chromatid is available as a template. It is …

BRCA1ATMPTENCHEK2

6 pathway steps · 2 FAQs

Signalling Pathways

EGFR–KRAS–BRAF–MEK–ERK Signalling Pathway in Cancer

The EGFR signalling pathway converts extracellular EGF binding into intracellular proliferative and survival signals via the KRAS–RAF–MEK–ER…

EGFRKRASBRAFPIK3CAAKT1MYC

8 pathway steps · 6 FAQs