Comparative Analysis Between Cellular Oncogenes and Viral Oncogenes

Abstract

Carcinogenesis is a complex process that consists of multiple genetic events, leading to the activation of dominant-acting oncogenes and the cancellation of certain tumor suppressor genes functions. Previous studies on interactions between oncogenes and cells proved that viral or cellular oncogenes have a determinant role in malignant cells by supporting aberrant proliferation, epigenetic alterations, and reprogramming. After the cellular differentiation is complete, tumor suppressor genes are involved in cell regulation, by inhibiting mitogenic signaling pathways and cell cycle progression and by keeping the stability of the genome. Mutations that lead to loss of TSG function are commonly identified in various cancer types, such as lung, cervical, breast, pancreatic and colorectal cancer. The aim of this study is to specify the genetic factors involved in tumor and malignant processes and to compare the oncogene types in order to establish an evolutionary correlation between them. The analysis of cellular and viral oncogenes shows that their structure and functions are alike, which supports the idea that viral oncogenes originated from cell proto-oncogenes. This is an intensively studied field with high hopes of better understanding carcinogenesis and discovering novel therapies based on the genetic modifications that occur in malignant cells.