oncogene
[ ong-kuh-jeen ]
/ ˈɒŋ kəˌdʒin /
noun Genetics.
any gene that is a causative factor in the initiation of cancerous growth.
Words nearby oncogene
British Dictionary definitions for oncogene
oncogene
/ (ˈɒŋkəʊˌdʒiːn) /
noun
any of several genes, first identified in viruses but present in all cells, that when abnormally activated can cause cancer
Word Origin for oncogene
C20 from Gk
onkos mass, tumour +
gene
Medical definitions for oncogene
oncogene
[ ŏng′kə-jēn ]
n.
A gene that causes the transformation of normal cells into cancerous tumor cells, especially a viral gene that transforms a host cell into a tumor cell.
Scientific definitions for oncogene
oncogene
[ ŏn′kə-jēn ]
A gene that causes normal cells to become cancerous either because the gene is mutated or because the gene is expressed at the wrong time in development. See Note at cancer.
Cultural definitions for oncogene
notes for oncogene
Every
cell contains genes that, when altered slightly, can become oncogenes.