Oncoprotein
Oncoprotein
Oncoprotein (/ɒnkoʊˈproʊtiːn/) is a type of protein that, when improperly regulated or mutated, participates in cancer development and progression.
Etymology
The term "oncoprotein" is derived from the Greek word "onkos" which means mass or bulk, referring to the tumor mass, and the word "protein", a fundamental component of all cells.
Definition
Oncoproteins are proteins encoded by oncogenes, which are genes that have the potential to cause cancer. When these genes are altered or more active than normal, they may become cancer-causing genes, or oncogenes, allowing cells to survive and multiply when they should not, leading to tumor formation.
Types of Oncoproteins
There are several types of oncoproteins, including growth factors, receptor tyrosine kinases, signal transducers, transcription factors, and cell cycle regulators. Some well-known oncoproteins include Ras, Myc, and Src.
Growth Factors
Growth factors are proteins that stimulate cell growth. Examples of growth factor oncoproteins include PDGF and TGF-alpha.
Receptor Tyrosine Kinases
Receptor tyrosine kinases are enzymes that can transfer a phosphate group from ATP to a protein in a cell. Examples include EGFR and HER2.
Signal Transducers
Signal transducers are molecules that transmit signals from the cell surface to the interior of the cell. Examples include Ras and Src.
Transcription Factors
Transcription factors are proteins that control the rate of transcription of genetic information from DNA to messenger RNA. Examples include Myc and Jun.
Cell Cycle Regulators
Cell cycle regulators are proteins that control the progression of a cell through the cell cycle. Examples include Cyclin D1 and p53.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Oncoprotein
- Wikipedia's article - Oncoprotein
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