Genetics

Proto-Oncogenes and Oncogenes

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  • Proto-oncogenes regulate normal cell division and are protected in evolution because of this key function. They encode

    • Growth and transcription factors
    • Receptors
    • Enzymes
    • G-proteins
  • Mutated proto-oncogenes (oncogenes) are associated with cancer
  • RAS oncogenes are the most commonly observed oncogenes in human tumours
  • Gene translocation and viral insertion can change proto-oncogenes

Summary Table: oncogenes vs tumour suppressor genes

Oncogenes Associations
ablCML and AML
bclB-cell lymphoma
hox-11T cell leukaemia
c-mycBreast, lung
rasThyroid, colon, lung
retMEN 2a and 2b
Tumour suppressor genesAssociations
p53Osteosarcoma
RbRetinoblastoma
APCColon
VHLVHL, renal
P16Melanoma
BRCA1 and BRCA2Breast, ovarian
MENINMEN 1

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