Proto-Oncogene

**Semantic type:** Classification

**Definition:** Oncogenes are altered forms of normal cellular genes called proto-oncogene. Many proto-oncogenes are homologous to viral oncogenes and involved in the control of cell proliferation or differentiation. Mutations, amplifications or rearrangements of proto-oncogenes lead to upregulated or deregulated cell growth and allow them to function as oncogenes.

**Synonyms:** - Cellular Oncogene - Cellular Oncogenes - c-ONC - proto-oncogene