Oncogenes

Amanda R Perry, Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey, UK

Published online: April 2001

DOI: 10.1038/npg.els.0001474

Oncogenes are the activated forms of normal cellular genes whose protein products are involved in key signalling pathways governing cell survival, proliferation and differentiation. Through a variety of mechanisms, including viral infection and chemical-induced mutation, these proteins become hyperactive or overexpressed and contribute to the cell growth and behaviour typical of cancer cells.

Keywords: oncogene; proto-oncogene; oncoprotein; retrovirus; mutation; signal transduction; signalling pathway; cell cycle; transformation; cancer

Figure 1. Mechanisms of oncogene activation. LTR, long terminal repeat.
Figure 2. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signalling pathway.
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 References
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 Further Reading
    Garrett MD and Workman P (1999) Discovering novel chemotherapeutic drugs for the third millenium. European Journal of Cancer 35: 2010–2030.
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    book Peters G and Vousden KH (eds) (1997) Oncogenes and Tumour Suppressors. Frontiers in Molecular Biology, vol. 19. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
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Related Sub-Topics:

Virus Diseases | Viruses Infecting Humans | Virus Replication | Molecular Genetics of Common and Complex Disease | Cancer Genetics | Gene and Genome Structure and Organisation | Transcription of DNA | Transcriptional Regulation | DNA Structure and Function | DNA Damage and Repair | Mechanisms of Cell Death, Senescence and Metabolism
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Article Title: Oncogenes
 
How to Cite close
Perry, Amanda R(Apr 2001) Oncogenes. In: eLS. John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Chichester. http://www.els.net [doi: 10.1038/npg.els.0001474]