protooncogene


pro·to·on·co·gene

(prō'tō-on'kō-jēn), A gene conserved long on the evolutionary scale present in the normal human genome, that appears to have a role in normal cellular physiology and is often involved in regulation of normal cell growth or proliferation; as a result of somatic mutations, these genes may become oncogenic; products of protooncognes may have important roles in normal cellular differentiation.

pro·to·on·co·gene

(prō'tō-on'kō-jēn) A gene in the normal human genome that appears to have a role in normal cellular physiology; involved in regulation of normal cell growth or proliferation; as a result of somatic mutations, these genes may become oncogenic; products of protooncognes may have important roles in normal cellular differentiation.