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Updated: May 11, 2026
07:08
Fully Processed Recombinant KRAS4b: Isolating and Characterizing the Farnesylated and Methylated Protein
Published on: January 16, 2020
Gene of the month: KRAS
Runjan Chetty1, Dhirendra Govender
1Department of Cellular Pathology and Nuffield Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford University Hospitals Trust and University of Oxford University, Oxford, UK. runjan.chetty@gmail.com
Journal of Clinical Pathology
|April 30, 2013
Summary
This overview covers the KRAS protein, its structure, and its function in various cancers. It also examines KRAS
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The KRAS protein is a key signaling molecule involved in cell growth and differentiation.
- Mutations in the KRAS gene are frequently observed in several human cancers, including pancreatic, colorectal, and lung cancers.
- Understanding KRAS signaling is crucial for developing targeted cancer therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of the KRAS protein.
- To elucidate the role of KRAS in the pathogenesis of various cancers.
- To discuss the implications of KRAS status in guiding adjuvant therapy decisions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on KRAS.
- Analysis of KRAS structure and function.
- Review of clinical data linking KRAS mutations to cancer prognosis and treatment response.
Main Results:
- KRAS is a critical regulator of intracellular signaling pathways.
- Aberrant KRAS signaling drives tumor initiation and progression.
- KRAS mutation status can predict patient response to certain adjuvant therapies.
Conclusions:
- KRAS is a significant oncogene with a well-defined role in cancer development.
- Targeting KRAS remains a challenge, but understanding its pathways is vital.
- KRAS testing is important for personalized adjuvant treatment strategies in relevant cancers.
Related Concept Videos
02:38The 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...
Ras is a superfamily...
02:38The 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...
Ras is a superfamily...
01:24Small 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:
Three regulatory proteins control their activity:
01:33Cancer-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...
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...
01:33Cancer-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...
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...
02:23Abnormal Proliferation
Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...