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The dark side of Ras: regulation of apoptosis

Adrienne D Cox1, Channing J Der

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.

Oncogene
|December 10, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Oncogenic Ras disrupts cell processes, including apoptosis, impacting cancer development. This review details how Ras effectors like Raf and Nore1 regulate cell survival and programmed cell death.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Mutational activation of Ras is a key driver of oncogenesis.
  • Ras disruption affects cellular processes, including cell cycle and proliferation.
  • Emerging evidence shows Ras also deregulates apoptosis and cell survival.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the mechanisms by which oncogenic Ras regulates apoptosis.
  • To elucidate the role of specific Ras effectors in controlling cell survival and programmed cell death.
  • To discuss the complex interplay of signaling networks in Ras-mediated apoptosis regulation.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on Ras signaling pathways.
  • Analysis of effector targets involved in Ras-mediated apoptosis.
  • Synthesis of current understanding of Ras regulation of cell survival and death.

Main Results:

  • Oncogenic Ras employs diverse effectors to regulate apoptosis.
  • Effectors such as Raf, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and Tiam1 promote anti-apoptotic actions.
  • Effectors like Nore1 and RASSF1 mediate pro-apoptotic actions.
  • p120RasGAP may significantly contribute to Ras-regulated apoptosis.

Conclusions:

  • Ras regulation of apoptosis is complex, involving multiple signaling networks and context-dependent differences.
  • Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing targeted cancer therapies.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the intricate balance of Ras effectors in apoptosis.

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