DEREGULATION OF PROTEIN-SYNTHESIS AS A MECHANISM OF NEOPLASTIC TRANSFORMATION

Early research on the cell cycle revealed correlations between protein accumulation and cell proliferation. In this review, I describe the d ata showing that abnormality of cell growth and tumor development are dependent upon oncogene-induced increases in the levels and activity o f factors that determine the rate of protein synthesis. It is proposed that the establishment of a vicious circle, namely oncoproteins --> i ncrease in translation --> oncoproteins, is a major biological mechani sm that fuels neoplastic growth. The constitutively high rates of prot ein synthesis and accumulation of proteins, including those necessary for DNA replication and mitosis, would drive cells to excessive prolif eration.