regulates cell growth by preventing uncontrolled cell division
A tumor suppressor gene is a type of gene that helps regulate cell growth by preventing cells from dividing too quickly or in an uncontrolled way. When these genes are mutated or inactivated, it can lead to the development of cancer because the normal checks on cell division are lost. Examples include the TP53 gene, which produces a protein that can trigger cell death if DNA damage is detected, thereby preventing the propagation of potentially cancerous cells.