Biology / Unit 4 Bio 0895 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Proto-oncogenes and Oncogenes
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The idea
A proto-oncogene is a normal gene coding for a positive cell-cycle regulator; an oncogene is a mutated version that speeds cell-cycle progression.
In practice
A mutation letting a Cdk activate without its cyclin partner can push a cell past a checkpoint too soon.
Where people slip
A gene is an oncogene only after mutation changes its function — the unmutated form is routine, healthy regulation.
Your place on the trail
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