Abstract

The relationships between oncogenes, cell‐cycle control genes, and growth‐related genes are described. An important generalization from the data is that all the oncogenes and cell‐cycle control genes so far characterized appear to be genes for growth factors or for receptors to growth factors, or to be involved in the general metabolism and structure of the cell. It is suggested that the transition in cell growth from quiescence to the proliferative state, in early G1, may be less specific than previously thought and involve a general priming of the cells for more specific later stimuli.