proto-oncogenes

Question

| Proto-oncogene | Function | Clinical Significance |
|----------------|----------|----------------------|
| HER2 (ERBB2)   | Encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase involved in cell growth and survival | Overexpression is seen in breast cancer and is associated with a more aggressive tumor phenotype. Targeted therapies like trastuzumab (Herceptin) can be used to inhibit HER2 signaling. |
| KRAS           | Encodes a GTPase involved in cell signaling pathways | Activating mutations in KRAS are commonly found in various cancers, including colorectal, pancreatic, and lung cancers. These mutations lead to constitutive activation of downstream signaling pathways, promoting cell proliferation and survival. |
| MYC            | Transcription factor regulating cell cycle progression and apoptosis | Amplification or overexpression of MYC is observed in many cancers, including Burkitt lymphoma and some forms of breast, lung, and colorectal cancers. MYC dysregulation promotes cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis. |
| BCL2           | Inhibits apoptosis by preventing mitochondrial membrane permeabilization | Overexpression of BCL2 is seen in certain lymphomas, such as follicular lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. It promotes cell survival by preventing apoptosis. |
| RET            | Receptor tyrosine kinase involved in cell growth and differentiation | Mutations in RET are associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) syndromes, including medullary thyroid carcinoma and pheochromocytoma. Targeted therapies like tyrosine kinase inhibitors can be used in the management of RET-driven cancers. |

Proto-oncogene	Function	Clinical Significance
HER2 (ERBB2)	Encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase involved in cell growth and survival	Overexpression is seen in breast cancer and is associated with a more aggressive tumor phenotype. Targeted therapies like trastuzumab (Herceptin) can be used to inhibit HER2 signaling.
KRAS	Encodes a GTPase involved in cell signaling pathways	Activating mutations in KRAS are commonly found in various cancers, including colorectal, pancreatic, and lung cancers. These mutations lead to constitutive activation of downstream signaling pathways, promoting cell proliferation and survival.
MYC	Transcription factor regulating cell cycle progression and apoptosis	Amplification or overexpression of MYC is observed in many cancers, including Burkitt lymphoma and some forms of breast, lung, and colorectal cancers. MYC dysregulation promotes cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis.
BCL2	Inhibits apoptosis by preventing mitochondrial membrane permeabilization	Overexpression of BCL2 is seen in certain lymphomas, such as follicular lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. It promotes cell survival by preventing apoptosis.
RET	Receptor tyrosine kinase involved in cell growth and differentiation	Mutations in RET are associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) syndromes, including medullary thyroid carcinoma and pheochromocytoma. Targeted therapies like tyrosine kinase inhibitors can be used in the management of RET-driven cancers.