Oncogene

An oncogene is a gene that has the potential to cause cancer. In tumor cells, these genes are often mutated or expressed at high levels. Most normal cells will undergo a programmed form of rapid cell death (apoptosis) when critical functions are altered and malfunctioning. Activated oncogenes can cause those cells designated for apoptosis to survive and proliferate instead.

History

The term "oncogene" was first used in 1969 by George Todaro and Robert Huebner, who believed that certain viruses might contain genes that could cause cancer. This belief was based on the discovery by Howard Temin that RNA viruses could be carcinogenic, which was a controversial idea at the time.

Function

Oncogenes play key roles in the regulation or synthesis of proteins linked to cell growth and regulation. The cell's progression through the cell cycle is regulated by these proteins. If these genes are mutated, the protein product may also be mutated, resulting in an increase in cell division, which can lead to a tumor.

Examples

Some examples of oncogenes include: RAS, MYC, ERBB2, and BCL2. These genes encode proteins that are involved in signal transduction and execution of mitogenic signals, usually through their protein products.

See also

• Tumor suppressor gene
• Cancer
• Proto-oncogene
• Carcinogenesis

External links

• National Cancer Institute: Oncogenes

• 
  Illustration of oncogenes
• 
  Diagram of chromosome 1 oncogene