The regulation and function of p21ras in T cells

In T cells, activation of the guanine-nucleotide-binding proteins encoded by the p21ras proto-oncogenes is a common response to triggering of the T-cell antigen receptor, the adhesion molecule CD2 and the receptor for the cytokine interleukin 2. This article by Julian Downward and colleagues describes the mechanisms of p21ras regulation and the potential function of p21ras in T cells, and discusses the evidence that multiple intracellular pathways may be involved in the coupling of cell surface receptors to p21ras.