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The oncogene and its potential role in carcinogenesis
Archives of Toxicology. Supplement. = Archiv Fur Toxikologie. Supplement
|January 1, 1985
Summary
Cellular oncogenes, homologous to viral oncogenes, may cause cancer through abnormal expression. Mechanisms include promoter insertion, mutation, amplification, or chromosomal rearrangements, as seen in tumors.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
- Genetics
Background:
- Cellular oncogenes share homology with viral oncogenes (v-onc).
- The precise functions of cellular oncogenes in normal cells remain largely unelucidated.
- Sequence homology suggests altered cellular oncogene expression can drive neoplastic transformation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore mechanisms by which cellular oncogenes may become abnormally expressed.
- To present examples of oncogene activation in animal and human tumors.
- To detail the cellular oncogene c-sis, its viral counterpart, and growth factor relation.
Main Methods:
- Comparative sequence analysis of viral and cellular oncogenes.
- Review of proposed models for oncogene activation.
- Case examples of oncogene activation in tumors.
- Detailed description of the c-sis oncogene.
Main Results:
- Several models for abnormal cellular oncogene expression were proposed.
- Mechanisms include viral promoter insertion, mutagenic alteration, gene amplification, chromosomal rearrangements, and point mutations.
- Examples of these activation mechanisms are documented in various tumors.
- The c-sis oncogene was described in relation to its viral homolog and a growth factor.
Conclusions:
- Abnormal expression of cellular oncogenes is a plausible mechanism for neoplastic transformation.
- Diverse genetic and epigenetic events can lead to oncogene activation.
- Understanding oncogene activation is crucial for cancer research and therapy.