The spelling of "active oncogen" is straightforward when considering its phonetic transcription: /ˈæk.tɪv ˈɑːŋ.koʊ.dʒən/. The word "active" is pronounced with the stress on the first syllable and sounds like "ak-tiv", while "oncogen" is pronounced with the stress on the second syllable and sounds like "on-koh-jen". An oncogene is a gene that has the potential to cause cancer, but an active oncogen is one that has been activated and is actively promoting the growth and spread of cancerous cells.
An active oncogene refers to a specific gene that has undergone a mutation or alteration, leading to the promotion of abnormal cell growth and the development of cancerous tumors. Oncogenes are derived from normal genes present in healthy cells, referred to as proto-oncogenes, which regulate cell growth and division. However, when they acquire certain mutations or changes in their structure, proto-oncogenes transform into active oncogenes, disrupting the normal cellular processes and contributing to the development and progression of cancer.
Active oncogenes play a critical role in promoting cell proliferation, inhibiting programmed cell death (apoptosis), inducing angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels to supply tumors), and activating various signaling pathways that aid in tumor growth and metastasis. These aberrant functions typically occur due to either an increased quantity or a constitutive activation of the protein product produced by the active oncogene.
The activation of oncogenes can be caused by a variety of genetic alterations, including point mutations, chromosomal translocations, gene amplification, or gene rearrangements. Some well-known examples of active oncogenes include HER2/Neu (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2), c-Myc, Bcl-2, and Ras. Understanding the specific mechanisms by which active oncogenes contribute to cancer development is crucial for the development of targeted therapies aimed at suppressing their activity and preventing further tumor growth.
The term "active oncogene" can be broken down into two parts: "active" and "oncogene".
1. Active: The word "active" comes from the Latin word "activus", which means "doing, acting, or causing". It refers to something that is in a state of action or operation.
2. Oncogene: The word "oncogene" consists of two parts - "onco" and "gene". "Onco" comes from the Greek word "onkos", meaning "mass" or "tumor". "Gene" originates from the Greek word "genos", which means "origin" or "birth". In biology, a gene refers to a specific sequence of DNA that carries information and determines a characteristic or trait.
Therefore, an "active oncogene" refers to a gene that is actively causing or promoting the development of cancer.