CELLULAR ONCOGENE Meaning and
Definition
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A cellular oncogene refers to a gene that plays a crucial role in the development of cancer when it undergoes mutations or abnormal activation. These genes are typically found within the normal cellular genome but are involved in regulating growth, proliferation, and differentiation processes. However, when they acquire specific alterations or are abnormally stimulated, they can transform a normal cell into a cancerous one.
The term "cellular oncogene" is often used to distinguish these genes from viral oncogenes, which are derived from cancer-causing viruses. Cellular oncogenes include genes like c-myc, c-fos, and c-jun, which are part of the normal cellular machinery but can lead to cancer if they malfunction.
These oncogenes can be activated in various ways, such as by chromosomal translocations, gene amplifications, point mutations, or changes in gene expression patterns. Once activated, they can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and division, inhibit apoptosis (programmed cell death), promote angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels), and enhance invasiveness and metastasis.
The discovery and understanding of cellular oncogenes have significantly contributed to our knowledge of cancer development and progression. It has allowed scientists and researchers to identify potential targets for cancer therapies and develop drugs that specifically target these oncogenes to inhibit their function and halt tumor growth. Therefore, studying the role of cellular oncogenes has become pivotal in the field of cancer research and has led to the development of targeted therapies for certain types of cancers.
Common Misspellings for CELLULAR ONCOGENE
- xellular oncogene
- vellular oncogene
- fellular oncogene
- dellular oncogene
- cwllular oncogene
- csllular oncogene
- cdllular oncogene
- crllular oncogene
- c4llular oncogene
- c3llular oncogene
- ceklular oncogene
- ceplular oncogene
- ceolular oncogene
- celkular oncogene
- celpular oncogene
- celoular oncogene
- cellylar oncogene
- cellhlar oncogene
- celljlar oncogene
- cellilar oncogene
Etymology of CELLULAR ONCOGENE
The word "cellular oncogene" has its etymology rooted in the field of oncology. Here is a breakdown of each component:
1. Cellular: The term "cellular" refers to something related to cells. In biology, cellular typically denotes something pertaining to the structure, function, or behavior of cells.
2. Oncogene: The term "oncogene" is a combination of two words: "onco" meaning tumor or cancer and "gene" referring to a hereditary unit residing on the genetic material (DNA) that carries information for a particular trait. An oncogene is a gene that, when mutated or activated, can contribute to the development of cancer.
Therefore, "cellular oncogene" essentially refers to a gene associated with cell-related functions that has implications in the development or progression of cancer.
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