Home > Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders > Oncogene

Definition

In a cell with normal control regulation (non-cancerous), genes produce proteins that provide regulated cell division. Cancer is the disease caused by cells that have lost their ability to control their regulation. The abnormal proteins allowing the non-regulated cancerous state are produced by genes known as oncogenes. The normal gene from which the oncogene evolved is called a protooncogene.

Description

History

The word oncogene comes from the Greek term oncos, which means tumor. Oncogenes were originally discovered in certain types of animal viruses...