Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes: These are genes that are involved in regulating cell growth and division. Mutations in these genes can lead to the development of cancer.
The resultant protein encoded by an oncogene is termed oncoprotein.
An oncogene is a gene that has the potential to cause cancer.
In tumor cells, they are often mutated or expressed at high levels.
Most of the normal cells will undergo apoptosis when critical functions are altered. Activated oncogenes can cause those cells designated for apoptosis to survive and proliferate instead.
Most oncogenes require an additional step, such as mutations in another gene, or environmental factors, such as viral infection, to cause cancer. Since the 1970s, dozens of oncogenes have been identified in human cancer. Many cancer drugs target the proteins encoded by oncogenes.
Aberrant expression of oncogenes and/or tumor suppressors play fundamental roles in the pathogenesis of glioma.