Protoncogenes

[aspiringmd1015]

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Is any gene that is involved in growth labeled as an oncogene? Like in Renal cell Ca, your vhl gets mutated, which induces hif1alpha(a transcription factor) which induces vegf formation, so is vhl a protoncogene? and then obviously once mutated an oncogene?

 

[Transposony]

VHL is not an oncogene. It's a tumor suppressor gene.
Oncogene-- Gain of function mutation in only one allele can cause cancer.
Tumor suppressor genes -- Loss of function but require mutation in both alleles.

 

[seminoma]

Is any gene that is involved in growth labeled as an oncogene? Like in Renal cell Ca, your vhl gets mutated, which induces hif1alpha(a transcription factor) which induces vegf formation, so is vhl a protoncogene? and then obviously once mutated an oncogene?

There is a VHL deletion, which leads to tumors. Hence, tumor suppressor gene.

 

[aspiringmd1015]

oh right, my bad, just thought of a random tumor, so take away teh VHL part and apply the same question

 

[seminoma]

oh right, my bad, just thought of a random tumor, so take away teh VHL part and apply the same question

Yes, gain of function mutation that leads to cellular growth and tumor formation = oncogene.

But "involved with growth" (as in the OP) is not really accurate. Even the tumor suppressor genes are "involved with growth". Likewise, BCL2, an oncogene, is normally an inhibitor of cell death, but not necessarily "involved with growth".

 

[aspiringmd1015]

cool, thanks for the prompt answer guys