termsTerm
Oncogene
aka oncogenes, oncogenic, proto-oncogene, proto-oncogenes
A gene that, when over-activated by mutation or extra copies, pushes a cell to grow and divide. Think of an accelerator pedal stuck to the floor.
Normal cells carry these genes as proto-oncogenes, which drive growth only when the cell receives the right signals; a mutation, amplification or fusion can lock them permanently on. Many oncogenes encode receptors and kinases in growth-signalling pathways (EGFR, HER2, ALK, KRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA), which is why so many targeted drugs are kinase inhibitors. Because a single activated oncogene can dominate a tumour's behaviour, blocking it can produce dramatic responses, the basis of oncogene addiction and of the whole targeted-therapy paradigm.
Category
Biology basics