Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Focus Formation: A Cell-based Assay to Determine the Oncogenic Potential of a Gene
Published on: December 31, 2014
[Detection of cellular proto-oncogenes and oncogenes]
Abstract:
Detection of proto-oncogenes in normal cells and oncogenes in cells of solid tumors and in leukemic cells confirmed the assumption on the genetic basis of neoplastic cell transformation. Proto-oncogenes constitute a specific group of genes involved in physiological processes of the cell. Inappropriately expressed forms of proto-oncogenes are referred to as oncogenes. Proto-oncogenes and oncogenes were detected either by means of animal oncogenic viruses, in in vitro transfection experiments, or by means of some cytological methods revealing chromosomal abnormalities. Proto-oncogenes were detected in cells of phylogenetically very distant species, suggesting their importance in the regulation of the cell cycle.
Related Concept Videos
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle
Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...

