Oncogenes and proto-oncogenes

Oncogenes and proto-oncogenes

Oncogenes and proto-oncogenes

On this page

Proto-oncogenes - Good Guys Gone Bad

  • Proto-oncogenes: Normal genes that regulate cell growth, division, and differentiation.
  • Oncogenes: Mutated proto-oncogenes that exhibit a gain-of-function, leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation.
  • Activation Mechanism: Requires a mutation in only one allele (dominant effect), the "one-hit" hypothesis.

⭐ Oncogene activation is like having a car's accelerator pedal stuck down, leading to constant, unchecked cellular proliferation.

Oncogene activation mechanisms and protein products

Activation Mechanisms - Flipping the Evil Switch

  • Point Mutation (e.g., RAS)

    • Single nucleotide change → constitutively active protein.
    • Classic example: KRAS mutation locks it in a GTP-bound, active state, driving constant cell proliferation.
  • Gene Amplification (e.g., MYC, HER2)

    • Increased number of gene copies → protein overexpression.
    • Examples: N-MYC (neuroblastoma), HER2/NEU (breast cancer).
  • Chromosomal Translocation (e.g., ABL)

    • Gene moved to a new locus → overexpression or novel fusion protein.
    • Example: BCR-ABL fusion in CML via t(9;22), the Philadelphia chromosome.

Oncogene Activation Mechanisms

⭐ In Burkitt Lymphoma, a t(8;14) translocation places the c-MYC oncogene under the control of the highly active immunoglobulin heavy-chain promoter.

Key Oncogenes - The Usual Suspects

OncogeneFunction/PathwayAssociated Neoplasms
RASGTP-binding protein (signal transduction)Pancreatic, colon, lung, melanoma
MYCTranscription factorBurkitt lymphoma (c-myc), Neuroblastoma (N-myc)
HER2/neu (ERBB2)Receptor tyrosine kinaseBreast, ovarian, gastric cancers
ABLNon-receptor tyrosine kinaseChronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML), ALL (t(9;22))
BRAFSerine/threonine kinase (MAPK pathway)Melanoma, hairy cell leukemia, colon cancer
RETReceptor tyrosine kinasePapillary thyroid ca, MEN 2A & 2B (📌 REarranged during Transfection)
KITCytokine receptor (stem cell factor)Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST), seminoma

Signaling Pathways - Cellular Chain of Command

Proto-oncogenes encode proteins that regulate cell growth. Activating mutations can lead to constitutive signaling, driving cancer. Two major pathways are crucial:

  • RAS-MAPK Pathway: The primary cascade for stimulating cell proliferation.
  • PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway: A key parallel pathway that promotes cell growth and survival.

⭐ The RAS gene family (KRAS, HRAS, NRAS) represents the most frequently mutated proto-oncogenes in human cancers.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Proto-oncogenes become oncogenes via gain-of-function mutations, requiring only one mutated allele.
  • Activation occurs via point mutation (RAS), gene amplification (HER2, N-MYC), or translocation (c-MYC, ABL).
  • RAS mutations create a constitutively active GTP-bound protein, constantly signaling for growth.
  • c-MYC translocation t(8;14) is seen in Burkitt lymphoma; N-MYC amplification in neuroblastoma.
  • HER2/neu (ERBB2) amplification in breast cancer is a key therapeutic target.
  • The BCR-ABL fusion t(9;22) is a constitutively active tyrosine kinase driving CML.

Practice Questions: Oncogenes and proto-oncogenes

Test your understanding with these related questions

A 33-year-old woman comes to the physician 1 week after noticing a lump in her right breast. Fifteen years ago, she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma of her left distal femur. Her father died of an adrenocortical carcinoma at the age of 41 years. Examination shows a 2-cm, firm, immobile mass in the lower outer quadrant of the right breast. A core needle biopsy of the mass shows adenocarcinoma. Genetic analysis in this patient is most likely to show a defect in which of the following genes?

1 of 5

Flashcards: Oncogenes and proto-oncogenes

1/10

The Knudson two-hit hypothesis states that _____ copy/copies of a tumor suppressor gene must be knocked out for tumor formation

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

The Knudson two-hit hypothesis states that _____ copy/copies of a tumor suppressor gene must be knocked out for tumor formation

both

browseSpaceflip

Enjoying this lesson?

Get full access to all lessons, practice questions, and more.

Start Your Free Trial