Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 21, 2026

A Genetically Engineered Mouse Model of Sporadic Colorectal Cancer
06:01

A Genetically Engineered Mouse Model of Sporadic Colorectal Cancer

Published on: July 6, 2017

10.1K

Decreased tumorigenesis in mice with a Kras point mutation at C118

Lu Huang1, John Carney2, Diana M Cardona2

  • 1Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA.

Nature Communications
|November 15, 2014
PubMed

Insights

The Kras(C118S) mutation reduces lung tumor development in mice exposed to urethane. This suggests the cysteine 118 residue in Kras is important for tumorigenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Ras proteins (KRAS, NRAS, HRAS) are frequently oncogenic in human cancers.
  • Ras activation can be redox-dependent, involving cysteine 118 (C118).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of Kras C118 in tumorigenesis.
  • To determine the effect of a C118S mutation on lung tumor development.

Main Methods:

  • Introduction of a C118S mutation into the endogenous murine Kras allele.
  • Exposure of resultant mice to the carcinogen urethane.
  • Analysis of lung tumor incidence and oncogenic mutation patterns.

Main Results:

  • Mice with Kras(C118S) alleles developed fewer urethane-induced lung tumors.
  • The Kras(C118S) allele impeded tumorigenesis, particularly in urethane-treated mice.
  • An imbalance favoring the native Kras allele was observed in tumors from heterozygous mice.

Conclusions:

  • The Kras(C118S) mutation impedes urethane-induced lung tumorigenesis.
  • The C118 residue in Kras plays a role in cancer development.

More Related Videos

Utilizing 18F-FDG PET/CT Imaging and Quantitative Histology to Measure Dynamic Changes in the Glucose Metabolism in Mouse Models of Lung Cancer06:51

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

18.9K
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

24.2K

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...
7.6K
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,...
6.8K
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...
5.2K
In-vitro Mutagenesis01:16

In-vitro Mutagenesis

To learn more about the function of a gene, researchers can observe what happens when the gene is inactivated or “knocked out,” by creating genetically engineered knockout animals. Knockout mice have been particularly useful as models for human diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes.
17.7K
Replicative Cell Senescence02:15

Replicative Cell Senescence

Replicative cell senescence is a property of cells that allows them to divide a finite number of times throughout the organism's lifespan while preventing excessive proliferation. Replicative senescence is associated with the gradual loss of the telomere — short, repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosomes. Telomeres are bound by a group of proteins to form a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes. Embryonic stem cells express telomerase — an enzyme that adds...
4.7K