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[Oncogenes and their discovery]
1Institut Cochin de génétique moléculaire, Hôpital Cochin, Paris.
Abstract:
Oncogenes have been discovered through the study of oncogenic retroviruses. Viral oncogenes present in the viral genome are the genes responsible for the transforming properties of these viruses. Viral oncogenes are altered forms of cellular genes, designated as proto-oncogenes, that have been transduced into the genome of transforming retroviruses. Deregulated expression or structural alteration of cellular proto-oncogenes by amplification, mutation or translocation has been implicated in the occurrence of human cancers.
Insights
Oncogenes, originally found in retroviruses, are altered versions of normal cellular genes called proto-oncogenes. Their abnormal activation through mutation or other changes can lead to human cancer development.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Virology
- Oncology
Context:
- Oncogenic retroviruses carry viral oncogenes responsible for cellular transformation.
- Viral oncogenes are derived from cellular proto-oncogenes.
- Proto-oncogenes are normal cellular genes with crucial roles in cell regulation.
Purpose:
- To explain the origin and nature of oncogenes.
- To elucidate the mechanism by which viral oncogenes arise from cellular genes.
- To highlight the role of altered proto-oncogenes in human cancer.
Summary:
- Oncogenes were identified via the study of oncogenic retroviruses.
- Viral oncogenes, found within retroviral genomes, drive viral transformation.
- These viral genes are mutated forms of cellular proto-oncogenes, acquired through transduction.
- Aberrant expression or structural changes (amplification, mutation, translocation) in proto-oncogenes are linked to human cancers.
Impact:
- Provides foundational understanding of oncogene discovery and viral oncogenesis.
- Establishes the link between viral oncogenes and cellular proto-oncogenes.
- Highlights the critical role of proto-oncogene dysregulation in the pathogenesis of human cancers.