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Oncogenes and Tumor Suppressors definitions

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  • Oncogene
    A mutated gene with increased expression that drives cell proliferation, survival, and tumor formation.
  • Tumor Suppressor
    A gene whose loss of function removes cellular restraints, enabling uncontrolled division and mutation accumulation.
  • Proto-oncogene
    A normal gene that, when mutated or overexpressed, can become a driver of cancerous growth.
  • RAS
    A GTPase frequently mutated in cancers, leading to persistent activation of growth-promoting pathways.
  • p53
    A transcription factor that senses DNA damage and normally halts cell division or triggers repair.
  • Retinoblastoma
    A cell cycle regulator whose mutation can be inherited and leads to loss of cell cycle control.
  • Apoptosis
    A programmed cell death process that is evaded by cancer cells, allowing their survival.
  • Angiogenesis
    The formation of new blood vessels, supplying tumors with nutrients and oxygen for growth.
  • Metastasis
    The spread of cancer cells from the original site to distant tissues, forming secondary tumors.
  • Genetic Instability
    A state where cells rapidly accumulate mutations, fueling cancer progression.
  • Growth Factor
    A signaling molecule that, when overexpressed, stimulates excessive cell division in tumors.
  • Transcription Factor
    A protein that regulates gene expression; its overactivity can drive abnormal cell behavior.
  • GTP Binding Protein
    A molecular switch involved in signaling; its dysregulation can promote cancerous activity.
  • Cell Cycle
    The sequence of events leading to cell division, often deregulated in cancer cells.
  • DNA Damage Repair
    A cellular process for fixing genetic errors, often impaired in cancer, leading to mutation buildup.