Proto-oncogene

Proto-oncogenes are normal cellular genes that encode proteins critical for the regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. These genes include those encoding growth factors, growth factor receptors, intracellular signal transducers, transcription factors, and cell cycle regulators[1][2][3][7]. When proto-oncogenes acquire certain mutations—through point mutation, gene amplification, chromosomal translocation, or other mechanisms—they become constitutively active oncogenes, promoting uncontrolled cell growth and cancer. Well-known examples of proto-oncogenes include RAS, MYC, BCR-ABL, and EGFR. Proto-oncogenes are evolutionarily conserved, found in a wide range of species, and their normal function is tightly regulated in healthy tissues. They are not therapeutic targets as a class but are foundational to understanding cancer biology and underlie the mechanism of many targeted therapies against specific oncogene products[1][2][3][5][7][9].

Other names

Protooncogeneproto oncogenecellular oncogene