Cyclopia: A Rare Birth Defect That Could Help Cure Cancer

The video explores Cyclopia, a rare condition where vertebrates develop a single eye, drawing parallels with mythological Cyclops. It delves into brain development, specifically Holoprosencephaly (HPE), a condition affecting forebrain division. The Sonic hedgehog (SHH) gene is crucial in this process, and its disruption can lead to HPE or cancer. Researchers study cyclopamine, a compound from corn lilies, which affects the SHH pathway, offering potential cancer treatments.

What is Cyclopia, and how is it related to holoprosencephaly (HPE)?

• A condition that only occurs in invertebrates

• A condition affecting only the limbs of vertebrates

• A condition where vertebrates develop a single eye, related to HPE

• A condition where vertebrates develop multiple eyes

Which gene is primarily associated with the development of HPE?

• TP53

• Sonic hedgehog (SHH)

• BRCA1

• MYC

What role does the SHH gene play in embryonic development?

• It regulates limb growth

• It instructs the forebrain to differentiate and form hemispheres

• It controls the development of the heart

• It is responsible for skin pigmentation

What is cyclopamine, and how is it related to the SHH pathway?

• A protein that enhances the SHH pathway

• A compound that disrupts the SHH pathway

• A hormone that regulates the SHH pathway

• A gene that activates the SHH pathway

What challenge do researchers face in using cyclopamine for cancer treatment?

• It has no effect on cancer cells

• It is only effective in treating skin conditions

• It is difficult to make or extract enough of it for study

• It is too expensive to produce