Are all growth stimulatory genes proto-oncogenes? - (Sep/29/2008 )

I'm just curious....

An oncogene is a protein encoding gene, which — when deregulated — participates in the onset and development of cancer.

A proto-oncogene is a normal gene that can become an oncogene due to mutations or increased expression.

So, say, any gene that can stimulate growth should be technically a proto-oncogene, as if their expression are increased in normal cells, can lead to increased proliferation and will eventually cause cancer.

Is that correct?

Pretty much correct. Not all oncogenes/proto-ocogenes are involved in growth stimulation though. Many are involved in cell cycle regulation and/or cell death pathways.