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Following agrobacterial infection, the Agrobacterium rhizogenes rolA, rolB and rolC genes are transferred to plant genome, causing tumor formation and hairy root disease. The emerging complexity of the rol-gene triggered effects and the involvement of signals generated by these genes in basic processes of cell biology such as calcium and ROS signaling and modulation of expression of calcium-dependent protein kinase genes indicate that the plant oncogenes, like some animal protooncogenes, use sophisticated strategies to affect cell growth and differentiation. Recent data raise the intriguing possibility that some components of plant and animal oncogene signaling pathways share common features. The rol oncogenes are involved in regulation of secondary metabolism performing a function not existing in animals. Studying of processes representing hot spots in animal cell biology, such as the triangle combining the interplay between oncogene expression, ROS production and cell senescence/apoptosis, calcium signaling and processes of protein phosphorylation/dephosphorylation will help in understanding functions of the plant oncogenes. In this respect, new directions of rol-gene studies are highlighted in this article underlying the necessity to use metabolomic, genomic and proteomic approaches in further investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses oncogene. Also called transforming gene, oncogene is any gene that has the ability to stimulate cellular growth. Oncogenes were originally isolated from RNA tumor viruses, but subsequent research found that they are actually derived from the genome of the host cell. A discussion on the precusors of oncogenes, proto-oncogenes, and oncogene cooperation is presented.

A definition of the term "AP-1" is presented, which refers to the activating protein-1, which is a transcription factor usually consisting of a member of the Jun family and a member of the Fos or ATF family of proto-oncogenes. It is activated in response to cytokines, growth factors and stress factors during cell differentiation, tumor formation or mitogenic response.

This encyclopedia entry defines the term "oncogenes." These are genes that confer malignancy on a cell. Those genes that normally control cell division and differentiation but which can be converted to oncogenes are called proto-oncogenes.

A definition of the term "WNT-signalling" is presented. It refers to a signal transduction pathway related to many developmental processes and in the development of tumors. The ability of WNT ligands to bind their receptors on the cell surface is mentioned, as well as its ability to activate signal transduction cascades.

A definition of the term "proto-oncogene" is presented. It refers to a normal cellular gene that, when activated by mutations, acquires on cogenic function. These mutations can include intragenic point mutation, translocation or amplification with the consequence of enhanced expression.

An encyclopedia entry for the term "jun" is presented. This term refers to a proto-oncogene that is homologous to the avian sarcoma virus 17 oncogene. The jun is also described as an early response gene of mitogenic and radiation stress signals. This proto-oncogene encodes the transcription factor jun which forms heterodimers with fos genes and other related proteins.

A definition of the term "fos" is presented. Fos is a v-fos FBJ murine osteosarcoma viral oncogene homolog. It refers to a leucine-zipper protein of 380 amino acids and 40 kD. FOS is a protooncogene and c-Fos is a nuclear phosphoprotein that forms a tight but now covalently linked complex with c-Jun to the AP-1 transcription factor.

A definition of the term "B-MYB" is presented. It refers to a member of the MYB family of oncogenes.