What are genes that induce increased activity referred to as?

Genes that induce increased activity are known as oncogenes. These genes play a critical role in cell growth and division. When functioning normally, oncogenes are involved in the regulation of normal cell processes, including growth and division. However, mutations or alterations in these genes can lead to unregulated cell proliferation and contribute to the development of cancer.

Oncogenes often encode proteins that are involved in important signaling pathways that promote cell survival and growth. For example, they can act as growth factors, receptors, or other signaling molecules that when overexpressed or mutated, can push the cell into a state of continuous division, a hallmark of cancerous tumors. Understanding the role of oncogenes is vital in cancer research and treatment, as targeting these genes might lead to innovative therapies aimed at inhibiting their function and controlling tumor growth.

In comparison, tumor suppressor genes function to control cell division and apoptosis, acting as a check on cell growth. Apoptosis genes are involved specifically in programmed cell death, and angiogenesis genes relate to the formation of new blood vessels, processes that can support tumors but are not primarily inducing increased activity in cells. Therefore, oncogenes are uniquely defined by their role in promoting activity leading to increased cell division