Identifying oncogenes has been a long-standing challenge in cancer research. These genes drive the growth of cancer cells and are often mutated or overexpressed in tumors.

Finding which genes are involved in oncogenesis can help researchers develop new treatments and improve patient outcomes. A recent study has proposed a novel technique for identifying oncogenes that offers hope for cancer patients.

What are Oncogenes?

Oncogenes are genes that, when mutated or overexpressed, promote the uncontrolled cell growth that characterizes cancer.

They were first discovered in the 1970s by researchers studying retroviruses, which can integrate their genetic material into host cells and cause cancer in animals. It was found that the retroviruses carried genes with the capacity to transform normal cells into cancer cells. These genes were dubbed oncogenes.

Since then, many oncogenes have been identified in humans, and it is now known that mutations or overexpression of these genes can lead to cancer. Some oncogenes are activated by environmental factors, while others are inherited.

Oncogenes can act at different stages of cell growth and division, and there can be multiple oncogenes involved in the development of a particular type of cancer.

Why is it difficult to identify oncogenes?

Identifying oncogenes is difficult for several reasons. First, there are many genes in the human genome, and it is not always clear which ones are involved in cancer.

Second, oncogenes often act in complex networks and pathways, making it hard to tease out their individual contributions. Third, cancer cells are genetically diverse and can carry many different mutations, making it challenging to identify the oncogenic drivers of a particular tumor.

Traditionally, researchers have used a variety of techniques to try to identify oncogenes, including gene expression analysis, genomic sequencing, and functional assays.

These methods have yielded many important findings, but they are often time-consuming, labor-intensive, and require highly specialized expertise.

The novel technique for identifying oncogenes

A recent study published in the journal Nature Communications proposes a novel technique for identifying oncogenes called tandem analysis of cellular phenotypes by genome editing (TRACE).

The method combines CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing with single-cell RNA sequencing to identify genes that are necessary for the survival and growth of cancer cells.

To use the TRACE method, researchers first genetically engineer cancer cells to express a fluorescent protein that serves as a marker for cell viability.

Then, they use CRISPR-Cas9 to systematically knock out every gene in the cancer cell’s genome, one by one. After each gene is knocked out, the researchers monitor the cells under a microscope to see if they are still fluorescent. If they are not, that indicates that the gene is essential for the cancer cell’s survival.

Once the researchers have identified the genes that are necessary for the cancer cell’s survival, they use single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze the gene expression patterns of those cells.

This allows them to identify the pathways and networks that are regulated by the identified genes, and to pinpoint potential drug targets.

Advantages of the TRACE method

The TRACE method has several advantages over traditional methods of identifying oncogenes. First, it is highly efficient, allowing researchers to screen the entire genome of a cancer cell in a relatively short period of time.

Second, it is sensitive, able to detect even subtle changes in gene expression that are critical for cancer cell survival. Third, it is unbiased, meaning that it does not rely on existing knowledge of oncogenes to identify new targets.

Finally, it provides a comprehensive view of the genetic networks and pathways that are essential for cancer cell survival, which can help guide the development of new therapies.

Potential applications of the TRACE method

The TRACE method has several potential applications in cancer research. One is to identify new targets for cancer therapy.

By pinpointing the genes and pathways that are essential for cancer cell survival, researchers can develop new drugs that specifically target those factors. These drugs may be more effective and have fewer side effects than existing therapies, which often target multiple pathways and can be toxic to normal cells.

Another potential application is to develop personalized cancer treatments.

By analyzing the gene expression patterns of individual tumors, researchers can identify the specific oncogenes that are driving each patient’s cancer and develop targeted therapies that are tailored to their individual needs. This approach has the potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce the risk of side effects.

Conclusion

The identification of oncogenes is a critical step in the development of new cancer therapies.

The recent development of the TRACE method offers hope for cancer patients by providing a fast, sensitive, and unbiased technique for identifying the genes and pathways that are essential for cancer cell survival. The approach has several potential applications in cancer research and has the potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce the risk of side effects from cancer treatment.