noun
a normal gene that has the potential to become an oncogene
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\\"ˌ\ nounEtymology: prot- + oncogene
: a gene having the potential for change into an active oncogene
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/proh'toh ong"keuh jeen'/, n.
a normally present gene that appears to have a role in the regulation of normal cell growth, but that is converted to an oncogene by mutation.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.