proto-oncogene

proto-oncogene

 [pro″to-ong´ko-jēn]

a normal gene that with slight alteration by mutation or other mechanism becomes an oncogene.

proto-oncogene

/pro·to-on·co·gene/ (pro″to-ong´ko-jēn) a normal gene that with slight alteration by mutation or other mechanism becomes an oncogene; most are believed to normally function in cell growth and differentiation.

proto-oncogene

(prō′tō-ŏn′kə-jēn′, -ŏng′kə-)

n.

A normal gene that has the potential to become an oncogene.

proto-oncogene

Molecular medicine A normal gene with latent transforming potential, homologous to a retroviral oncogene Examples
c-erb, c-fos, c-jun, c-myb, c-myc, c-mos, c-raf, c-ras; POs act in normal growth, differentiation, and induction and/or maintenance of CA. See Abl, cyclin D1, RET/PTC.

proto-oncogene

Any gene capable of becoming a cancer-producing gene (an oncogene). Proto-oncogenes have important functions in the normal cell, but, by mutation or by the acquisition of genetic control elements from oncoviruses they can lose their normal regulatory functions and lead to uncontrolled multiplication.

proto-oncogene

a gene that normally functions to initiate or maintain cell division. However, it can be converted into an ONCOGENE by, for example, MUTATION.

proto-oncogene

a gene that is progenitor of an oncogene.