Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Focus Formation: A Cell-based Assay to Determine the Oncogenic Potential of a Gene
Published on: December 31, 2014
Structure and organization of the human Ki-ras proto-oncogene and a related processed pseudogene
Abstract:
Analysis of the organization and nucleotide sequence of two human loci related to the transforming gene of Kirsten murine sarcoma virus establishes one as a functional gene and the other as a processed pseudogene. The two final coding exons of the functional gene seem to have arisen by duplication. Differentially spliced mRNAs incorporating one or other of the duplicated exons probably served as the intermediates by which the viral transforming gene and the pseudogene were generated. This suggests that the functional gene may specify either of two related polypeptides depending on the pattern of RNA splicing.
Related Concept Videos
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...
The Ras Gene
Ras is a superfamily...
Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...
Small GTPases - Ras and Rho
Three regulatory proteins control their activity:
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...
The Ras Gene
Ras is a superfamily...

