ONCOGENS Meaning and
Definition
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Oncogens, also spelled oncogenes, are genes that have the potential to cause the development of cancer. These genes are capable of promoting abnormal cell growth and division, leading to the uncontrolled proliferation of cells, which is a defining characteristic of cancer. When oncogenes become activated or mutated, they can disrupt normal cell regulation mechanisms and contribute to the formation and progression of tumors.
Normally, oncogenes are present in all cells, playing essential roles in cell growth, division, and survival. However, alterations in their structure or function can lead to their oncogenic activation. These changes can be the result of genetic mutations, gene amplification (increased copies of the gene), or chromosome rearrangements.
Oncogenes can produce a wide range of proteins that influence various cellular processes involved in cancer development. These proteins can act as growth factors, receptors, intracellular signal transmitters, or transcription factors, among other roles. Oncogenes can drive cells to divide and replicate more rapidly, resist apoptosis (programmed cell death), invade neighboring tissues, or migrate to distant sites in the body (metastasis).
Identifying and characterizing oncogenes has been crucial in advancing the understanding of cancer biology. Many targeted cancer therapies have emerged from the knowledge of specific oncogenes and their associated molecular pathways. Oncogene-targeted treatments aim to interfere with the activity of specific proteins produced by these genes, suppressing their cancer-promoting effects and potentially stopping or slowing tumor growth.
Common Misspellings for ONCOGENS
- oncogenes
- oncogeness
- incogens
- kncogens
- lncogens
- pncogens
- 0ncogens
- 9ncogens
- obcogens
- omcogens
- ojcogens
- ohcogens
- onxogens
- onvogens
- onfogens
- ondogens
- oncigens
- onckgens
- onclgens
- oncpgens
Etymology of ONCOGENS
The word "oncogen" is derived from two terms: "onco-" and "-gen".
The term "onco-" relates to "oncology", which is the study of cancer. It comes from the Greek word "onkos", meaning "mass" or "bulk". It is often used as a prefix in medical terminology to indicate a relation to tumors or cancerous growth.
The term "-gen" is derived from the Greek word "genos", which means "origin" or "birth". In medical terminology, it is used as a suffix to indicate something that gives rise to or produces a particular condition or disease.
Therefore, when combined, "oncogen" refers to a gene or a genetic element that has the potential to cause the development of cancer.
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