RET proto-oncogene

The RET proto-oncogene is a segment of DNA that provides instructions for making a protein involved in cell signaling, which helps controls cell growth and division. In normal cells, RET plays a crucial role in the development of the nervous system and the kidneys. However, mutations in the RET gene can lead to uncontrolled cell growth, contributing to the development of certain cancers, such as medullary thyroid carcinoma and some types of neuroblastoma. As a proto-oncogene, it’s a normal gene that, when altered, has the potential to become cancerous.