Question: what is the difference between proto-oncogenes and oncogenes

title: Oncogene
text: A proto - oncogene is a normal gene that could become an oncogene due to mutations or increased expression . Proto - oncogenes code for proteins that help to regulate the cell growth and differentiation . Proto - oncogenes are often involved in signal transduction and execution of mitogenic signals , usually through their protein products . Upon acquiring an activating mutation , a proto - oncogene becomes a tumor - inducing agent , an oncogene . Examples of proto - oncogenes include RAS , WNT , MYC , ERK , and TRK . The MYC gene is implicated in Burkitt 's lymphoma , which starts when a chromosomal translocation moves an enhancer sequence within the vicinity of the MYC gene . The MYC gene codes for widely used transcription factors . When the enhancer sequence is wrongly placed , these transcription factors are produced at much higher rates . Another example of an oncogene is the Bcr - Abl gene found on the Philadelphia chromosome , a piece of genetic material seen in Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia caused by the translocation of pieces from chromosomes 9 and 22 . Bcr - Abl codes for a tyrosine kinase , which is constitutively active , leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation . ( More information about the Philadelphia Chromosome below ) 

Answer: answer: A proto - oncogene is a normal gene that could become an oncogene due to mutations or increased expression. Proto - oncogenes code for proteins that help to regulate the cell growth and differentiation, and they are often involved in signal transduction and execution of mitogenic signals , usually through their protein products. Upon acquiring an activating mutation , a proto - oncogene becomes a tumor - inducing agent , an oncogene. Another example of an oncogene is the Bcr - Abl codes for a tyrosine kinase leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation.