title: Oncogenes.
abstract: Oncogenes are gain-of-function mutations of normal regulatory genes or proto-oncogenes. Originally discovered in retroviruses initiating a variety of animal and avian cancers, oncogenes are believed to be important contributors to human carcinogenesis. Proto-oncogenes are altered by point mutation, amplification or rearrangement. Structural alteration of proto-oncogenes leads to a quantitative or qualitative expression change of the corresponding protein product. Oncoproteins subvert signal transduction pathways at the cell surface, in the cytosol and/or in the nucleus. Together with other oncoproteins or in the absence of tumor suppressor gene products, oncogenes contribute to human cancer formation by supporting accelerated proliferation, de-regulating cell cycle control or blocking apoptosis.
authors.affiliation: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston 02114, USA. randy-todd@hms.harvard.edu
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Todd
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D009857:Oncogenes; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000235:genetics