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Roles of the RET Proto-oncogene in Cancer and Development

Masahide Takahashi1,2, Kumi Kawai3, Naoya Asai3

  • 1Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.

JMA Journal
|November 5, 2020
PubMed

Insights

The REarranged during Transfection (RET) proto-oncogene

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • The REarranged during Transfection (RET) proto-oncogene is implicated in various human cancers through rearrangements and mutations.
  • RET mutations are linked to endocrine neoplasias and Hirschsprung's disease, highlighting its role in development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize the multifaceted roles of the RET proto-oncogene in cancer, development, and disease.
  • To underscore the ongoing research into RET kinase inhibitors for therapeutic applications.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on RET proto-oncogene function and associated diseases.
  • Analysis of gene knockout studies demonstrating RET's developmental roles.

Main Results:

  • RET rearrangements are found in diverse cancers, including thyroid and lung.
  • RET mutations cause multiple endocrine neoplasias and Hirschsprung's disease.
  • RET is crucial for enteric nervous system, kidney development, and spermatogenesis.

Conclusions:

  • The RET proto-oncogene is a critical player in multiple biological processes and diseases.
  • Targeting RET offers therapeutic potential for cancers and developmental disorders.
  • Further research into RET continues to yield significant insights across multiple scientific fields.
Keywords:
DNA rearrangementDevelopmentHirschsprung’s DiseaseLung CancerMultiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2RETThyroid Canceroncogene

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