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Related Concept Videos

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...
Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes01:33

Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes01:33

Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
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...
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:
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 15, 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

Oncogenic K-Ras requires activation for enhanced activity.

H Huang1, J Daniluk2, Y Liu3

  • 11] Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA [2] Department of Gastroenterology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.

Oncogene
|January 22, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Oncogenic Ras mutations are not always active. This study shows K-Ras requires upstream signals for activation, suggesting new cancer prevention strategies targeting Ras activation.

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Last Updated: May 15, 2026

Characterize Disease-related Mutants of RAF Family Kinases by Using a Set of Practical and Feasible Methods
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Fully Processed Recombinant KRAS4b: Isolating and Characterizing the Farnesylated and Methylated Protein
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Fully Processed Recombinant KRAS4b: Isolating and Characterizing the Farnesylated and Methylated Protein

Published on: January 16, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Signaling

Background:

  • Oncogenic Ras mutations are often considered constitutively active.
  • However, healthy individuals can have mutant Ras cells without harm, and Ras-driven transformation requires activity upregulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether oncogenic K-Ras is constitutively active.
  • To explore the activation dynamics of oncogenic K-Ras.
  • To identify potential cancer-preventive strategies targeting Ras activation.

Main Methods:

  • Experimental analysis of K-Ras activity in cellular and animal models.
  • Investigation of upstream signaling pathways influencing K-Ras activation.

Main Results:

  • Oncogenic K-Ras is not constitutively active.
  • K-Ras can be readily activated by upstream stimulants.
  • This activation leads to prolonged and strong Ras signaling.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting K-Ras activation, not just downstream effectors, offers cancer-preventive potential.
  • This approach is particularly relevant for individuals with oncogenic Ras mutations.
  • The findings may extend to the broader Ras family of small G proteins.