proto-oncogene

[ proh-toh-ong-kuh-jeen ]
/ ˌproʊ toʊˈɒŋ kəˌdʒin /

noun

a normally present gene that appears to have a role in the regulation of normal cell growth, but that is converted to an oncogene by mutation.

Medical definitions for proto-oncogene

proto-oncogene
[ prō′tō-ŏngkə-jēn′ ]

n.

A normal gene that has the potential to transform itself into an oncogene.