Question

One way that RNA tumor viruses can cause cancer upon infection is by commandeering a host gene and transcribing it under a strong promoter in the viral LTR region of the viral genome.

a. What evidence suggests that a proto-oncogene like src is actually a normal cellular gene rather than a gene that has been inserted into the germ line by an infecting retrovirus?

b. What is the normal function of src in the cell?

c. Describe the regulation of this proto-oncogene include how the dysfunction of this proto-oncogene leads to cancer.