tumorinducing

Tumor-inducing is an adjective used in biology to describe an agent, gene, or process capable of initiating or promoting tumor formation, a process known as tumorigenesis or oncogenesis. In research and pathology, the term is often used alongside related terms such as tumorigenic and oncogenic.

A well-known use of the term arises in plant pathology with the tumor-inducing (Ti) plasmids of the soil bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens. These plasmids carry transfer DNA (T-DNA) that can integrate into the plant genome. Once integrated, the T-DNA expresses genes that reprogram plant cells to proliferate, forming crown gall tumors. The T-DNA typically includes genes that stimulate plant hormone synthesis, notably auxins and cytokinins, and others that support the production of opines used by the bacterium as nutrients.

In animal systems, the concept of tumor-inducing agents includes oncogenic viruses and mutations that disrupt cell-cycle control. Viral oncogenes or insertional mutagenesis can activate cell division pathways or inactivate tumor suppressors (such as p53 or Rb in certain contexts), contributing to uncontrolled growth. Chemical carcinogens and other mutagens can also be described as tumor-inducing because they raise the likelihood of tumor development.

Notes: In common usage, "tumor-inducing" is largely synonymous with tumorigenic or oncogenic, but each term can carry slightly different emphasis depending on context—gene, organism, or mechanism involved.