DOMINANT ONCOGENE Meaning and
Definition
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A dominant oncogene refers to a specific type of gene that has the ability to induce cancerous cell growth and division when present in a mutated or altered form. These genes are known for their capability to promote tumor formation and progression.
Typically, an oncogene is derived from a normal cellular gene, known as a proto-oncogene, responsible for regulating cellular growth and division. Through various genetic alterations, such as gene mutations or amplification, a proto-oncogene can transform into an oncogene and contribute to the development of cancer.
What determines the dominant nature of an oncogene is its ability to promote cancerous growth even when only one copy of the gene is mutated or altered. In other words, the presence of a single mutated copy of a dominant oncogene is sufficient to override the normal tumor-suppressing mechanisms of the cell, resulting in uncontrolled cell proliferation and tumor formation.
Dominant oncogenes often exert their effects by producing excessive amounts of specific proteins that drive uncontrolled cell growth. These proteins may function as growth factors or signal transducers, disrupting normal cellular processes and promoting abnormal cell division. They can also interfere with genes involved in regulating programmed cell death (apoptosis), allowing cancer cells to survive and thrive.
Understanding the function and impact of dominant oncogenes is crucial for cancer research and the development of targeted therapies. By identifying and targeting these genes, scientists and clinicians can aim to inhibit their activity and halt or slow down the growth of cancer cells, offering potential avenues for more effective cancer treatments.
Common Misspellings for DOMINANT ONCOGENE
- sominant oncogene
- xominant oncogene
- cominant oncogene
- fominant oncogene
- rominant oncogene
- eominant oncogene
- diminant oncogene
- dkminant oncogene
- dlminant oncogene
- dpminant oncogene
- d0minant oncogene
- d9minant oncogene
- doninant oncogene
- dokinant oncogene
- dojinant oncogene
- domunant oncogene
- domjnant oncogene
- domknant oncogene
- domonant oncogene
- dom9nant oncogene
Etymology of DOMINANT ONCOGENE
The term "dominant oncogene" is derived from the combination of two words: "dominant" and "oncogene".
1. Dominant: The word "dominant" comes from the Latin word "dominans, dominantis", which means "ruling, governing, controlling". In genetics, "dominant" refers to a trait or allele that is expressed or observed when present in either one or two copies in an organism's genome.
2. Oncogene: The word "oncogene" combines the prefix "onco-", derived from the Greek word "onkos", meaning "mass" or "tumor", and the suffix "-gene", derived from the Greek word "genos", meaning "birth" or "origin". An oncogene is a gene that has the potential to cause cancer when it becomes mutated or overexpressed.
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