identification of oncogenes

Question

[rohit.bioinfo.11]

I have a question about gene identification as oncogene involved in cancer.whether a gene is targeted or regulated by an oncomir can we consider that gene as an oncogene or there is any other way to identify a gene ?

[Devon Ryan]

It's somewhat difficult to parse your question. Are you asking how one determines whether a gene is an oncogene or not?

[rohit.bioinfo.11]

yes

Answer 1

[Devyani]

When an oncomir (over-expressing miRNA causing cancer) is over-expressed it will target a gene which will be a tumor suppressor gene. When a tumor suppressor miRNA ( down-regulated miRNA causing cancer) is down-regulated its target gene is over-expressed which is called an oncogene. So any gene whose over-expression causes cancer is called an oncogene. The over-expression can be due to any reason like down-regulation of the miRNA which targets it or other epigenetic factors, etc.