proto-oncogene
Quick Summary
A proto-oncogene is a normal gene that plays a role in promoting cell differentiation and proliferation. When a proto-oncogene is altered or mutated, it can become an oncogene, which has the potential to induce cancer. This transformation can occur through several mechanisms, including point mutations, chromosomal translocations, and gene amplification.12
These changes can lead to uncontrolled cell growth, ultimately forming a cancerous tumor. Oncogenes were first discovered in retroviruses but were later found to be derived from proto-oncogenes present in healthy cells. More than 70 human oncogenes have been identified, with some linked to specific cancers like breast cancer (c-ERBB2) and lung cancer (c-MYC).1
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
virusMalignant transformation…animals (including humans), known as proto-oncogenes, genes that are involved with regulating normal cell growth and development and that also have the potential to change into cancer-causing genes. These proto-oncogenes have deoxynucleotide sequences closely, but not entirely, homologous (i.e., of the same type and order) to the nucleotide sequences of…
Read More…animals (including humans), known as proto-oncogenes, genes that are involved with regulating normal cell growth and development and that also have the potential to change into cancer-causing genes. These proto-oncogenes have deoxynucleotide sequences closely, but not entirely, homologous (i.e., of the same type and order) to the nucleotide sequences of…
Read More
cancerRetroviruses and the discovery of oncogenes…really a cellular oncogene, or proto-oncogene. Molecular hybridization studies demonstrated that the cellular version of src was very similar, but not identical, to the viral src gene. The cellular oncogene form of src was found to be an important regulator of cell growth that became altered when the virus removed…
Read More…really a cellular oncogene, or proto-oncogene. Molecular hybridization studies demonstrated that the cellular version of src was very similar, but not identical, to the viral src gene. The cellular oncogene form of src was found to be an important regulator of cell growth that became altered when the virus removed…
Read More
human diseaseThe role of genetics… (cancer-causing genes) are derived from proto-oncogenes (normal growth-regulatory cellular genes). When proto-oncogenes become mutated or deregulated, they are converted to oncogenes, which are capable of causing the malignant transformation of cells, including those of humans. Cellular proto-oncogenes code for proteins involved in cell regulation, such as growth factors, their receptors,…
Read More… (cancer-causing genes) are derived from proto-oncogenes (normal growth-regulatory cellular genes). When proto-oncogenes become mutated or deregulated, they are converted to oncogenes, which are capable of causing the malignant transformation of cells, including those of humans. Cellular proto-oncogenes code for proteins involved in cell regulation, such as growth factors, their receptors,…
Read More
human genetic diseaseGenetics of cancer…forms of normal genes (proto-oncogenes) that have sustained a somatic “gain-of-function” mutation. An oncogene may be carried by a virus, or it can result from a chromosomal rearrangement, as is the case in chronic myelogenous leukemia, a cancer of the white blood cells characterized by the presence of the…
Read More…forms of normal genes (proto-oncogenes) that have sustained a somatic “gain-of-function” mutation. An oncogene may be carried by a virus, or it can result from a chromosomal rearrangement, as is the case in chronic myelogenous leukemia, a cancer of the white blood cells characterized by the presence of the…
Read More
immune system disorderGenetic causes of cancer…an oncogene is called a proto-oncogene. Proto-oncogenes stimulate cell growth in a controlled manner that involves the interplay of a number of other genes. However, should a proto-oncogene become mutated in some way, it may become hyperactive, leading to uncontrolled cellular proliferation and the exaggeration of some normal cellular activities.…
Read More…an oncogene is called a proto-oncogene. Proto-oncogenes stimulate cell growth in a controlled manner that involves the interplay of a number of other genes. However, should a proto-oncogene become mutated in some way, it may become hyperactive, leading to uncontrolled cellular proliferation and the exaggeration of some normal cellular activities.…
Read More- cancerProto-oncogenes and the cell cycle
…led to the discovery of proto-oncogenes that are integral to the control of cell growth. Proto-oncogenes control the growth and division of cells by coding for proteins that form a signaling “cascade.” This cascade relays messages from the exterior of the cell to the nucleus, where a molecular apparatus called…
Read More…led to the discovery of proto-oncogenes that are integral to the control of cell growth. Proto-oncogenes control the growth and division of cells by coding for proteins that form a signaling “cascade.” This cascade relays messages from the exterior of the cell to the nucleus, where a molecular apparatus called…
Read More