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Human oncogenes

K Willecke, R Schäfer

    Human Genetics
    |January 1, 1984
    PubMed

    Insights

    This review compares retroviral oncogenes, proto-oncogenes, and cellular transforming genes, focusing on the ras gene family. It details proto-oncogene activation mechanisms and their role in multi-step carcinogenesis.

    Area of Science:

    • Molecular Biology
    • Oncology
    • Genetics

    Background:

    • Human oncogenes are critical in cancer development.
    • Understanding oncogene activation is key to cancer research.
    • The ras gene family is frequently implicated in human cancers.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To review and compare different types of oncogenes.
    • To detail the ras gene family's role in transformation.
    • To summarize proto-oncogene activation and their role in carcinogenesis.

    Main Methods:

    • Literature review of oncogene research up to 1983.
    • Comparative analysis of retroviral, proto-, and cellular transforming genes.
    • Detailed examination of the ras gene family.

    Main Results:

    • Comparison of retroviral oncogenes, proto-oncogenes, and cellular transforming genes.
    • Detailed description of transforming genes from the ras family.
    • Summary of proto-oncogene activation mechanisms.

    Conclusions:

    • Cellular transforming genes, particularly ras, play a significant role in cancer.
    • Proto-oncogene activation is a key step in carcinogenesis.
    • Carcinogenesis involves the concerted or sequential action of cellular transforming genes.

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