A. An oncogene is a dominantly expressed mutation which gives a cell a growth or survival advantage.An oncogene is a mutated form of a normal cellular gene (the proto-oncogene) which codes for a protein which is either controlled abnormally so that it is expressed in abnormally large amounts or has gained activity so that it is more active than the normal protein. In either case only one gene of a pair needs to become oncogenic for the activity to be expressed, so the mutation is dominant, and this is the best definition. Some oncogenes code for a protein which forms part of a signal transduction pathway. A 'gain of function' mutation in such a gene can make the pathway more active. Other oncogenes code for a protein which protects the cell against apoptosis. Increased production of this protein can prevent the cell entering apoptosis. However either of these choices provides only a partial definition of an oncogene. Cell cycle control proteins prevent cell division and are anti-oncogenic.

Then try StudyFetch, the AI-powered platform that can answer your questions and teach you more about it!