proto-oncogene

proto-oncogene

 [pro″to-ong´ko-jēn]

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

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

proto-oncogene

(prō′tō-ŏn′kə-jēn′, -ŏng′kə-)

n.

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

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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.

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

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.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

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.

Collins Dictionary of Biology, 3rd ed. © W. G. Hale, V. A. Saunders, J. P. Margham 2005