oncogene
Tumor-promoting DNA segment
An oncogene is a gene that, when mutated or abnormally expressed, can transform a normal cell into a cancerous one.
Most oncogenes arise from proto-oncogenes—normal genes involved in cell growth and division that become dangerous when altered: Researchers identified several oncogenes associated with breast cancer.
The concept is central to understanding how cancers develop at the molecular level.
Abnormal tissue proliferation
- transformationThorough change in form
- initiationFormal admission ceremony
- promotionRank increase or publicity
- progressionSequential forward movement
immortalization · dysregulation · hyperplasia · dysplasia · metaplasia · proliferation · invasion · metastasis
Epithelial malignant tumor
- sarcomaConnective tissue cancer
- leukemiaMalignancy of blood-forming tissues
- lymphomaCancer from immune cells
- melanomaAggressive pigment-cell cancer
glioma · myeloma · adenocarcinoma · glioblastoma · neuroblastoma · adenoma · neoplasm · tumor
Gene preventing uncontrolled growth
- kinasePhosphate-transferring enzyme
- phosphorylationPhosphate group attachment process
- growth factorCell-proliferation signaling molecule
- receptorSignal-receiving molecule
DNA · mutation · amplification · translocation · overexpression · activation · point mutation · deletion
Cancer-promoting agent
- mutagenAgent causing genetic change
- radiationEnergy propagation through space
- ultravioletWavelengths shorter than violet
- ionizingProducing charged particles
benzene · asbestos · tobacco · vinyl chloride · formaldehyde · arsenic · dioxins · radon
neoplasia
Abnormal tissue proliferation
- transformationThorough change in form
- initiationFormal admission ceremony
- promotionRank increase or publicity
progression · immortalization · dysregulation · hyperplasia · dysplasia · metaplasia · proliferation · invasion · metastasis · angiogenesis
carcinoma
Epithelial malignant tumor
- sarcomaConnective tissue cancer
- leukemiaMalignancy of blood-forming tissues
- lymphomaCancer from immune cells
melanoma · glioma · myeloma · adenocarcinoma · glioblastoma · neuroblastoma · adenoma · neoplasm · tumor · malignancy
HER2
Growth receptor oncogene
- BCR-ABLChimeric cancer-causing kinase
tumor suppressor
Gene preventing uncontrolled growth
- kinasePhosphate-transferring enzyme
- phosphorylationPhosphate group attachment process
- growth factorCell-proliferation signaling molecule
receptor · DNA · mutation · amplification · translocation · overexpression · activation · point mutation · deletion · insertion
carcinogen
Cancer-promoting agent
- mutagenAgent causing genetic change
- radiationEnergy propagation through space
- ultravioletWavelengths shorter than violet
ionizing · benzene · asbestos · tobacco · vinyl chloride · formaldehyde · arsenic · dioxins · radon · acrylamide
- oncologycancer, tumor, carcinoma, metastasis, malignancy
- Genesallele, transgene, dominant gene, recessive gene, wild type
- Genetic Variationspoint mutation, missense mutation, nonsense mutation, insertion, inversion
- growthsgrowth, growths, tumor, tumors, tumour
- Drug Targetsreceptor, enzyme, kinase, transporter, protease
- Genetic SyndromesDown syndrome, fragile X syndrome, DiGeorge syndrome, BRCA1, neurofibromatosis