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RAS oncogenes: weaving a tumorigenic web

Yuliya Pylayeva-Gupta1, Elda Grabocka, Dafna Bar-Sagi

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, USA.

Nature Reviews. Cancer
|October 14, 2011
PubMed

Insights

RAS proteins are crucial for cell signaling. Oncogenic RAS mutations drive cancer by hijacking multiple interconnected pathways to promote tumor growth.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular biology
  • Cancer research
  • Cell signaling

Background:

  • RAS proteins are key regulators of intracellular signaling pathways originating from cell surface receptors.
  • Missense mutations in RAS proteins are common oncogenic drivers in various cancers.
  • RAS signaling networks are complex and involve numerous interconnected pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review how oncogenic RAS proteins influence cellular processes.
  • To elucidate the role of RAS signaling in tumorigenesis.
  • To highlight the extensive signaling reach of RAS oncogenes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of biochemical and genetic studies on RAS proteins.
  • Analysis of signaling pathways controlled by RAS.
  • Examination of cellular processes affected by oncogenic RAS.

Main Results:

  • RAS proteins control a complex molecular circuitry.
  • Oncogenic RAS activation affects multiple cellular processes.
  • RAS signaling extensively influences pathways driving tumorigenesis.

Conclusions:

  • RAS oncogenes exploit their broad signaling capabilities to promote cancer development.
  • Understanding RAS signaling is critical for cancer therapy.
  • Targeting RAS pathways offers potential therapeutic strategies.

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