Interplay between Oncogenes and Tumor Suppressor Genes in Human Disease

Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes were first discovered and characterized in the context of cancer. Today, we know that the normal genes from which oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes are derived also play important roles in the pathology of other human diseases, including developmental and neurodegenerative diseases and diabetes. Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes act antagonistically to regulate many normal cellular processes, such as cell proliferation, metabolism, and survival. When these genes sustain functionally significant mutations, the consequences are frequently manifested by the onset and progression of chronic and life-threatening diseases, most notably, cancer.