Exploring the function of RAS oncogenes by studying the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The RAS oncogenes comprise a family of genes found to be activated in perhaps 10-20% of human cancers and which have been highly conserved in evolution. Homologs of the mammalian RAS exist in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (RAS1 and RAS2). We have shown that human ras proteins can complement the loss of RAS1 and RAS2 proteins in yeast, and hence are functionally homologous. Both human and yeast RAS proteins can stimulate the magnesium and guanine nucleotide-dependent adenylate cyclase activity present in yeast membranes. However, RAS proteins do not appear to stimulate adenylate cyclase in vertebrate cells. Our studies indicate that although RAS proteins are essential controlling elements of adenylate cyclase in yeast, they have other essential functions in that organisms. RAS proteins are themselves probably controlled by growth regulatory proteins.