Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1985. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
HUMAN PROTO-ONCOGENES, GROWTH FACTORS, AND CANCER
UT MD Anderson Symp Fundam Cancer Res; 37:241-55 1985. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/85610611 Aaronson SA; Robbins KC; Tronick SR; NCI, Bethesda, MD 20205
Abstract:
In this review, studies are summarized that have led to identification of the first normal cellular function of a proto-oncogene, and evidence is presented which suggests how this gene may be involved in certain kinds of human cancer. Also described are investigations of another family of proto-oncogenes that have been more firmly implicated as human transforming genes, but whose normal function remains to be determined. The sis-oncogene was first identified as the transforming gene of the simian sarcoma virus (SSV). The cloning of biologically active SSV DNA and the detailed analysis of this viral genome, with attention to the v-sis-oncogene segment and its origin in terms of species, is reviewed here. Discussion of the SSV includes the requirement of v-sis for SSV oncogenic activity, nucleotide sequence analysis of SSV, identification of the SSV transforming protein (the sis-encoded protein) and its function, and the relationship of amino acid sequences in SSV-transforming protein to those in human platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). Addressing this last point, work is described which attempts to establish directly that the v-sis gene product and human PDGF share structural, immunologic, and biologic properties. Results of attempts to define, at the molecular level, the role of the sis proto-oncogene in human malignancies are presented along with attempts to characterize the sis/PDGF-2 locus. Nucleotide sequence analysis suggested that c-sis (human) is the structural gene for PDGF-2. Data are presented which establish that the normal human gene encoding PDGF-2/sis is capable of acquiring transforming activity when expressed in a cell susceptible to the effects of PDGF. Next, the identification of ras genes, whose normal function remains unknown, is described with special focus on three ras genes of human cells. A discussion on the role of ras genes in naturally occurring human malignancies includes data on identification of a variety of activated ras oncogenes found in numerous tumor types, ras proto-oncogenes of human cells, and ras gene involvement in malignancy. Finally, a review of the possible mechanism of activation of ras oncogenes centers on work which implicates genetic point mutations as the basis for acquisition of malignant properties by ras proto-oncogenes. (74 Refs)
Keywords: Animal Cell Line Cell Transformation, Neoplastic Gene Expression Regulation Genetic Code Growth Substances/*PHYSIOLOGY Human Neoplasms/GENETICS/*PHYSIOPATHOLOGY *Oncogenes Platelet-Derived Growth Factor/GENETICS/PHYSIOLOGY Sarcoma Viruses, Simian/GENETICS Sarcoma, Experimental/GENETICS Transformation, Genetic Viral Proteins/GENETICS MEETING PAPER
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Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1985. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
