Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Utilizing 18F-FDG PET/CT Imaging and Quantitative Histology to Measure Dynamic Changes in the Glucose Metabolism in Mouse Models of Lung Cancer
Published on: July 21, 2018
[Identification and Functional Analysis of A Novel Candidate Oncogene RAP2B in Lung Cancer.]
Guobin Fu1, Yan Liu, Jinsong Yuan
1Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, Cancer Institute (Hosptial), Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing 100021, China.
Background:
RAP2B is one of the 50 novel candidate genes cloned from the differential expression cDNA libraries constructed in lung cancer cells. Though RAP2B contains conserved domain and belongs to Ras superfamily, the function of RAP2B in carcinogenesis is still poorly understood. The aim of this study is to explore the roles of RAP2B gene in carcinogenesis.
Methods:
RT-PCR was applied to examine transcriptional status of RAP2B in the tumor and corresponding adjacent tissues collected from 27 patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma. RAP2B expression plasmid was constructed and transfected into Rat1 cells to evaluate the in vitro transformation ability through colony formation assay. Reporter gene assay was performed to reveal the relationship between RAP2B gene and NF-kappaB pathway.
Results:
About 67% (18/27) of tumor tissues show higher mRNA expression than that in the corresponding adjacent normal tissues. Typical transforming focus formation was observed in Rat1 cells which were transfected with RAP2B gene. The reporter gene assay data showed that RAP2B activated NF-kappaB pathway more than 3 folds compared with the mock vector.
Conclusions:
RAP2B may be a novel candidate oncogene that plays important roles in carcinogenesis through activation of NF-kappaB pathway.
Insights
RAP2B, a novel gene in lung cancer, promotes cell transformation and activates the NF-kappaB pathway, suggesting its role as an oncogene in carcinogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Oncology
- Gene expression analysis
Context:
- RAP2B is a novel candidate gene identified in lung cancer.
- Its function in carcinogenesis remains largely unknown.
- Belongs to the Ras superfamily with a conserved domain.
Purpose:
- To investigate the role of RAP2B in carcinogenesis.
- To explore the potential of RAP2B as a cancer-related gene.
Summary:
- RT-PCR revealed elevated RAP2B mRNA in 67% of lung squamous cell carcinoma tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues.
- RAP2B transfection induced transformation in Rat1 cells.
- Reporter gene assays demonstrated RAP2B activates the NF-kappaB pathway over 3-fold.
Impact:
- RAP2B may function as an oncogene in lung cancer development.
- Activation of the NF-kappaB pathway by RAP2B is a key mechanism.
- Provides a potential therapeutic target for lung cancer.
More Related Videos
11:32Identification of Transcription Factor Regulators using Medium-Throughput Screening of Arrayed Libraries and a Dual-Luciferase-Based Reporter
Published on: March 27, 2020
07:49Characterize Disease-related Mutants of RAF Family Kinases by Using a Set of Practical and Feasible Methods
Published on: July 17, 2019
Related Concept Videos
The Ras Gene
Ras is a superfamily...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...
Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...
Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...
The Retinoblastoma Gene
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway