Question

Oncogenes causes cancer because of production of

• A. Structural protein
• B. Mutant protein
• C. Fibrillar protein
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Mutant protein

Proto-oncogenes are a group of genes that cause normal cells to become cancerous when they are mutated.

Mutations in proto-oncogenes are typically dominant in nature, and the mutated version of a proto-oncogene is called an oncogene. Often, proto-oncogenes encode proteins that function to stimulate cell division, inhibit cell differentiation, and halt cell death. All of these processes are important for normal human development and for the maintenance of tissues and organs. Oncogenes, however, typically exhibit increased production of these proteins, thus leading to increased cell division, decreased cell differentiation, and inhibition of cell death; taken together, these phenotypes define cancer cells. Thus, oncogenes are currently a major molecular target for anti-cancer drug design.

So, the correct option is 'Mutant protein'.