Encyclopedia: Tumor Suppressor Genes
A tumor suppressor gene or antioncogene is a gene that protects a cell from one step on the path to cancer. When this gene is mutated to cause a loss or reduction in its function, the cell can progress to cancer, usually in combination with other genetic changes. Unlike oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes generally follow the 'two-hit hypothesis,' which implies that both alleles that code for a particular gene must...