oncogene

[ ong-kuh-jeen ]

/ ˈɒŋ kəˌdʒin /

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noun Genetics.

any gene that is a causative factor in the initiation of cancerous growth.

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Origin of oncogene

First recorded in 1965–70; onco- + gene

Words nearby oncogene

once upon a time, onchocerciasis, oncidium, on cloud nine, onco-, oncogene, oncogenesis, oncogenic, oncogenicity, oncolite, oncology

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for oncogene

oncogene

/ (ˈɒŋkəʊˌdʒiːn) /

noun

any of several genes, first identified in viruses but present in all cells, that when abnormally activated can cause cancer

Word Origin for oncogene

C20 from Gk onkos mass, tumour + gene

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for oncogene

oncogene

[ ŏn′kə-jēn ]

A gene that causes normal cells to become cancerous either because the gene is mutated or because the gene is expressed at the wrong time in development. See Note at cancer.

Cultural definitions for oncogene

oncogene

[ (ong-kuh-jeen) ]

Genes in animal DNA that cause cancer.

notes for oncogene

Every cell contains genes that, when altered slightly, can become oncogenes.