Proto-oncogenes
A typical gene that can cause cancer when it undergoes a mutation and changes, becoming an oncogene. Proto-oncogenes may perform a wide range of tasks within the cell. There are several proto-oncogenes that send out signals that cause cell division. Programmed cell death is regulated by other proto-oncogenes (apoptosis).
Oncogenes, or faulty forms of proto-oncogenes, are capable of causing an uncontrolled division of a cell. Even in the absence of typical development signals like those provided by growth factors, this growth is nevertheless possible. One important aspect of oncogene activity is that even one mutated copy can cause uncontrolled proliferation.
