autocrine hypothesis

autocrine hypothesis definition - medical

autocrine hypothesis

noun
The hypothesis that tumor cells containing viral oncogenes may have encoded a growth factor normally produced by other cell types and thereby produce the factor autonomously, leading to uncontrolled proliferation.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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