A gene that causes normal cell to become cancerous either because the gene is mutated or because the gene is expressed at the wrong time in development. An oncogene is a gene that, when mutated or expressed at high levels, helps turn a normal cell into a tumor cell. Many abnormal cells normally undergo a [...]
1. Oncogene: Oncogenes are specific base sequences present in the genome of Oncoviruses (e.g. Provirus) that can code for Oncoproteins responsible for production of cancer. 2. Protooncogene: Protooncogenes are the homologous base sequences of oncogenic sequences. They have been discovered from the chromosomal materials of normal animals like Birds, Rodents, Primate and even human beings. [...]
A gene that can cause cancerous transformation in animal cells growing in culture and tumour formation in animals themselves. These genes were first discovered in the genomes of RNA viruses that are capable of inducing tumours in vertebrate hosts. Retroviruses gene such as v-src that cause cancer is an oncogene. At least 20 different viral [...]
Dr. Amlan Kumar Mitra, Biology Guide Since 2009
