Oncogenes. A possible role for cancer genes in human malignant disease.
A small class of normal cellular genes has the potential to transform cells malignantly. These cellular oncogenes have been identified by their similarity to the transforming genes of oncogenic RNA viruses (retroviruses), and by their ability, under certain circumstances, to transform cells into which they have been transferred. Cellular oncogenes are not normally tumorigenic and, indeed, appear to be critically involved in normal cellular processes, possibly at the level of growth regulation. However, it appears that a number of mechanisms exist whereby these oncogenes can become malignantly activated, leading to uncontrolled cellular proliferation. The evidence implicating cellular oncogenes in human malignant disease is reviewed.
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Stewart
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D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D002472:Cell Transformation, Viral; D002872:Chromosome Deletion; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D005814:Genes, Viral; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000235:genetics; D009857:Oncogenes; D009858:Oncogenic Viruses / Q000235:genetics; D010802:Phylogeny; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D014178:Translocation, Genetic
D006133:Growth Substances; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D004247:DNA; D011494:Protein Kinases; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases