oncogene
Meaning of oncogene: An oncogene is a mutated gene, derived from a normal growth regulating gene, that drives uncontrolled cell division seen in cancer.
Definition of oncogene
An oncogene is a gene that has been altered from its normal form in a way that promotes uncontrolled cell growth. Most oncogenes originate from proto-oncogenes, normal genes that play an ordinary role in regulating cell growth and division, and become oncogenes when a mutation or other change causes them to become overactive or function abnormally.
Oncogenes can arise from an inherited mutation present from birth, though more often they develop later in life from damage to a cell's DNA caused by factors such as radiation, certain chemicals, or errors introduced during ordinary cell division. A single altered oncogene rarely causes cancer alone, since cancer generally develops from an accumulation of several genetic changes affecting different genes over time.
Because oncogenes represent one part of this larger process, identifying which oncogenes are involved in a particular cancer can help guide treatments designed to target the specific abnormal proteins these genes produce.
Used in a sentence
Testing identified a specific oncogene alteration that helped guide the patient's targeted treatment.
Good to know
A single altered oncogene is rarely sufficient to cause cancer on its own, since cancer typically results from an accumulation of several genetic changes acquired over time.
Word origin
Where “oncogene” comes from
Formed from Greek onkos, meaning mass or tumor, and genos, meaning birth or origin, the root shared with gene.