Recessive Oncogenes are genes that have the potential to cause cancer but are normally turned off or suppressed in healthy cells. The word 'Recessive' is pronounced as /rɪˈsɛsɪv/, with stress on the second syllable. The term 'Oncogene' is pronounced as /ˈɒŋkədʒiːn/ with the primary stress on the second syllable. The plural form of 'Oncogene' is 'Oncogenes' and it is pronounced as /ˈɒŋkədʒiːnz/, with stress on the third syllable. Thus, the correct spelling of the term is 'Recessive Oncogenes'.
Recessive oncogenes are genes that have the potential to cause cancer but only when both copies of the gene are mutated or altered. These genes are characterized by their ability to promote cell growth and division, which is normally tightly regulated in healthy cells. However, when recessive oncogenes are activated due to mutations in both copies of the gene, they can contribute to the development of cancer.
Unlike dominant oncogenes, which only require one copy of the mutated gene to trigger abnormal cell growth, recessive oncogenes follow a two-hit model. This means that in order for them to function improperly, both copies of the gene need to be mutated or inactivated. Recessive oncogenes are often associated with hereditary cancers or cancer susceptibility syndromes, where an individual inherits one normal copy and one mutated copy of the gene, increasing their risk of developing cancer.
When recessive oncogenes are functioning normally, they play important roles in cell growth, development, and repair. However, mutations in both copies of these genes can disrupt these processes, leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation and ultimately the formation of a tumor.
Understanding the role of recessive oncogenes in cancer development is crucial for identifying potential therapeutic targets. Targeted therapies can be developed to specifically inhibit the activity of these genes or their products, thereby aiming to stop or slow down cancer growth and progression.
The term "recessive oncogenes" consists of two parts: "recessive" and "oncogenes".
1. Recessive: The term "recessive" comes from the Latin word "recessus", which means to withdraw or recede. In genetics, it refers to a trait that is masked or overshadowed by a dominant trait. In the context of oncogenes, it indicates that the gene's expression is suppressed or inhibited by another gene.
2. Oncogenes: The term "oncogenes" is derived from the words "onco-" meaning tumor or cancer, and "-genes" meaning genes. Thus, oncogenes refer to genes that have the potential to cause cancer or contribute to its development.
Together, the term "recessive oncogenes" refers to genes that, despite having the potential to cause cancer, become inactive or suppressed by other genes in a cell.