Oncoprotein

Oncoprotein

An oncoprotein is a protein that is encoded by an oncogene and has the potential to cause cancer. Oncoproteins are usually involved in cell signaling pathways and cell cycle regulation, and their activity can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and division, a hallmark of cancer.

Function

Oncoproteins can be produced by a number of different mechanisms, including gene amplification, chromosomal translocation, and point mutation. These changes can result in the overproduction of the protein, the production of a constitutively active form of the protein, or the production of a protein with a new function.

Examples

There are many examples of oncoproteins, including:

• Ras: This protein is involved in cell signaling and is often mutated in cancer. Mutations in Ras can lead to its constitutive activation, leading to uncontrolled cell growth.

• Myc: This is a transcription factor that regulates the expression of many genes involved in cell growth and division. Overexpression of Myc can lead to uncontrolled cell growth.

• Bcr-Abl: This is a fusion protein produced as a result of a chromosomal translocation in chronic myeloid leukemia. The fusion protein has a new function that leads to uncontrolled cell growth.

Role in cancer

Oncoproteins play a key role in the development of cancer. They can drive the uncontrolled cell growth and division that is a hallmark of cancer, and they can also contribute to other aspects of cancer development, such as angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels) and metastasis (the spread of cancer to other parts of the body).

See also

• Proto-oncogene
• Tumor suppressor gene
• Cancer
• Signal transduction
• Cell cycle

Oncoprotein Resources
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