Oncogene-mediated effects on cellular gene expression.

The expression of oncogenes results in alterations of the morphology and growth properties of the affected cells. The oncogenes encode proteins which interfere with mitotic signal transduction pathways and ultimately cause changes in the pattern of gene expression. It must be the products of at least some of these oncoprotein-affected genes which catalyze the altered cell properties. The study of such genes should help our understanding of the biochemistry of malignant growth and transformed cell morphology. The molecular mechanisms which underlie the oncoprotein-mediated gene induction should lead to the elucidation of the signal transduction pathway on which the oncoproteins impinge.