Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Characterize Disease-related Mutants of RAF Family Kinases by Using a Set of Practical and Feasible Methods
07:49

Characterize Disease-related Mutants of RAF Family Kinases by Using a Set of Practical and Feasible Methods

Published on: July 17, 2019

Modelling oncogenic Ras/Raf signalling in the mouse

Florian A Karreth1, David A Tuveson

  • 1Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge Research Institute, Cancer Research UK, Robinson Way, Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Current Opinion in Genetics & Development
|February 10, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Aberrant Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK (MAPK) signaling drives cancer. Genetically modified mouse models mimicking human cancers are crucial for understanding MAPK pathway deregulation and developing treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Signaling
  • Oncology

Background:

  • The Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK (MAPK) signaling pathway is critical for cellular functions.
  • Dysregulation of MAPK signaling is frequently implicated in human cancers.
  • Genetic alterations in the MAPK pathway contribute to malignant transformation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of deregulated MAPK signaling in disease development.
  • To utilize genetically modified mouse models for studying cancer biology.
  • To explore basic mechanisms and translational applications related to the MAPK pathway.

Main Methods:

  • Conditional activation of oncogenic K-Ras in mouse models.
  • Conditional activation of oncogenic B-Raf in mouse models.
  • Analysis of neoplasms developed in genetically modified mice.

Main Results:

  • Conditional activation of K-Ras or B-Raf led to neoplasms resembling human cancers.
  • Genetically modified mouse models accurately recapitulated human disease phenotypes.
  • These models provide insights into MAPK pathway-driven tumorigenesis.

Conclusions:

  • Genetically modified mouse models are valuable tools for studying MAPK pathway-driven cancers.
  • These models facilitate the investigation of underlying biological mechanisms.
  • Translational research for MAPK pathway-related therapies can benefit from these models.

More Related Videos

Initiation of Metastatic Breast Carcinoma by Targeting of the Ductal Epithelium with Adenovirus-Cre: A Novel Transgenic Mouse Model of Breast Cancer07:13

Initiation of Metastatic Breast Carcinoma by Targeting of the Ductal Epithelium with Adenovirus-Cre: A Novel Transgenic Mouse Model of Breast Cancer

Published on: March 26, 2014

Light-mediated Reversible Modulation of the Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Pathway during Cell Differentiation and Xenopus Embryonic Development09:32

Light-mediated Reversible Modulation of the Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Pathway during Cell Differentiation and Xenopus Embryonic Development

Published on: June 15, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Mouse Models of Cancer Study02:43

Mouse Models of Cancer Study

Mice have long served as models for studying human biology and pathology because of their phylogenetic and physiological similarity with humans. They are also easy to maintain and breed in the laboratory, and hence, many inbred strains are now available for research. Studies on mice have contributed immeasurably to our understanding of cancer biology.
The development of transgenic, knockout, and knock-in mice has led to an exponential increase in their use as model organisms in research,...
Mouse Models of Cancer Study02:43

Mouse Models of Cancer Study

Mice have long served as models for studying human biology and pathology because of their phylogenetic and physiological similarity with humans. They are also easy to maintain and breed in the laboratory, and hence, many inbred strains are now available for research. Studies on mice have contributed immeasurably to our understanding of cancer biology.
The development of transgenic, knockout, and knock-in mice has led to an exponential increase in their use as model organisms in research,...
The Ras Gene02:38

The Ras Gene

The Ras-gene-encoded proteins are regulators of signaling pathways controlling cell proliferation, differentiation, or cell survival. The Ras-gene family in humans constitutes three primary members—the HRas, NRas, and KRas. These genes code for four functionally distinct yet closely related proteins—the HRas, NRas, KRas4A, and KRas4B. The involvement of mutant Ras genes in human cancer was first discovered in 1982 and is among the most common causes of human tumorigenesis.
Ras is a superfamily...
Small GTPases - Ras and Rho01:24

Small GTPases - Ras and Rho

Ras and Rho are small monomeric GTPases that act downstream of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) and regulate various cellular processes. These GTPases switch between active and inactive states by binding to guanine nucleotides.
Three regulatory proteins control their activity:
MAPK Signaling Cascades01:07

MAPK Signaling Cascades

Mitogen-activated protein kinase, or MAPK pathway, activates three sequential kinases to regulate cellular responses such as proliferation, differentiation, survival, and apoptosis. The canonical MAPK pathway starts with a mitogen or growth factor binding to an RTK. The activated RTKs stimulate Ras, which recruits Raf or MAP3 Kinase (MAPKKK), the first kinase of the MAPK signaling cascade. Raf further phosphorylates and activates MEK or MAP2 Kinases (MAPKK), which in turn phosphorylates MAP...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...