Molecular Biology

Concept: Oncogenes are genes that have the potential to cause cancer. They originate from normal cellular genes called proto-oncogenes, which regulate cell growth and division under normal conditions.
Explanation: When proto-oncogenes undergo mutations or become overexpressed, they are converted into oncogenes. These activated oncogenes lead to:

• Uncontrolled cell division
• Loss of normal growth regulation
• Formation of tumors

The abnormal activity of oncogenes is a major factor in the development of cancers. One disease caused by activation of oncogenes is cancer, for example leukemia. Thus, oncogenes are cancer-causing genes, and their activation can lead to diseases such as leukemia.