Fusion gene

In genetics, a fusion gene is a hybrid gene formed from two previously independent genes. It can occur as a result of translocation, interstitial deletion, or chromosomal inversion. Fusion genes have been found to be prevalent in all main types of human neoplasia.[1] The identification of these fusion genes play a prominent role in being a diagnostic and prognostic marker.[2]

A schematic showing the ways a fusion gene can occur at a chromosomal level
  1. ^ Mitelman F, Johansson B, Mertens F (April 2007). "The impact of translocations and gene fusions on cancer causation". Nature Reviews Cancer. 7 (4): 233–45. doi:10.1038/nrc2091. PMID 17361217. S2CID 26093482.
  2. ^ Prensner JR, Chinnaiyan AM (February 2009). "Oncogenic gene fusions in epithelial carcinomas". Current Opinion in Genetics & Development. 19 (1): 82–91. doi:10.1016/j.gde.2008.11.008. PMC 2676581. PMID 19233641.