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Structure and function of p21 ras proteins.

T Y Shih¹, S Hattori, D J Clanton

¹Division of Cancer Etiology, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21701.

Gene Amplification and Analysis

|January 1, 1986

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Cancer involves faulty cell growth control. Ras proteins, similar to G-proteins, are key to understanding cell growth signals and cancer development. Their on/off switch function offers new intervention strategies.

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Molecular Biology
Biochemistry

Background:

Cancer arises from uncontrolled cellular growth.
Ras genes encode p21 proteins involved in cell growth signaling.
p21 proteins share similarities with other guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G-proteins).

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the structure and function of p21 ras proteins.
To understand the role of p21 proteins in cellular signal transduction.
To explore the mechanism of proto-oncogene activation.

Main Methods:

Gene cloning and sequencing
Protein overproduction and engineering
Biochemical characterization and X-ray crystallography
Site-directed mutagenesis and immunochemical probes

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Main Results:

p21 ras proteins possess a membrane-binding domain and conserved regions.
Guanosine diphosphate (GDP) binding sites are conserved between p21 and elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu).
Guanosine triphosphate (GTP) binding is essential for p21 ras cellular function.

Conclusions:

Ras gene 'on/off' switch function provides insight into proto-oncogene activation.
Understanding p21 ras function may lead to novel cancer intervention strategies.
Further research into p21 target molecules is warranted.