tumor suppressor gene

noun

: any of a class of genes (such as p53) that act in normal cells to inhibit unrestrained cell division and that when inactivated (as by mutation) place the cell at increased risk for malignant proliferation

Word History

First Known Use

1985, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

tumor suppressor gene

noun

variants or tumor-suppressor gene

: any of a class of genes (as p53 and APC) that act in normal cells to inhibit unrestrained cell division and that when inactivated (as by mutation) place the cell at increased risk for malignant proliferation

In some cases [of cancer], growth-inhibiting genes called tumor suppressor genes are damaged, allowing cells to proliferate unchecked.

—Faye Flam, The Philadelphia Inquirer

In most human-cancer cells, there are multiple mutations—some that activate oncogenes and some that silence tumor-suppressor genes.

—Robert A. Weinberg and Anthony L. Komaroff, Newsweek

called also anti-oncogene