What is pro- oncogene?

Proto-oncogenes are normal genes that have the potential to become oncogenes, which are genes that cause cancer.

Proto-oncogenes encode proteins that are involved in various cellular processes, such as cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis (programmed cell death). When these proteins are functioning properly, they help to ensure that cells grow and divide in a controlled manner. However, when proto-oncogenes are mutated or overexpressed, they can produce proteins that drive cells to grow and divide uncontrollably, leading to cancer.

Mutations in proto-oncogenes can occur due to a variety of factors, including exposure to carcinogens, radiation, and certain viruses. Overexpression of proto-oncogenes can also occur due to a variety of genetic changes, such as gene amplification or rearrangements.

When a proto-oncogene is mutated or overexpressed, it can produce a protein that has a gain-of-function mutation, meaning that it has acquired a new or enhanced function that it did not have previously. This can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and division, which is a hallmark of cancer.

There are a number of different proto-oncogenes that have been identified, and each one encodes a protein that is involved in a different cellular process. Some of the most well-known proto-oncogenes include:

MYC: encodes a transcription factor that plays a role in cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. MYC overexpression is associated with many different types of cancer, including Burkitt lymphoma, lung cancer, and breast cancer.

KRAS: encodes a protein that is involved in the RAS signaling pathway, which is involved in cell growth, differentiation, and survival. KRAS mutations are associated with many different types of cancer, including lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and colorectal cancer.

TP53: encodes a tumor suppressor protein that plays a role in DNA repair and apoptosis. TP53 mutations are associated with many different types of cancer, including lung cancer, breast cancer, and colon cancer.

Proto-oncogenes are important targets for cancer therapy, as drugs that inhibit the activity of these genes or the proteins they encode can be used to treat cancer. By understanding the role of proto-oncogenes in cancer, researchers hope to develop new and more effective treatments for this disease.