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Genetically encodable biosensors for Ras activity.

Ryan Weeks^1,2, Sohum Mehta², Jin Zhang^1,2,3

¹Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego La Jolla CA 92093 USA jzhang32@ucsd.edu +1 (858) 246-0602.

RSC Chemical Biology

|April 5, 2024

Summary

Genetically encoded Ras biosensors track Ras protein activity, revealing its roles in cell signaling and behavior. These tools are crucial for understanding cellular processes and discovering new functions of Ras signaling.

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Area of Science:

Cellular Biology
Molecular Biology
Biochemistry

Background:

Genetically encoded Ras biosensors are key tools for studying Ras signaling dynamics.
These biosensors utilize Ras sensing units linked to fluorescent proteins.
They have enabled visualization of Ras activity at the plasma membrane and within organelles.

Purpose of the Study:

To review different classes of biosensors used for measuring Ras activity.
To discuss the significance of these biosensors in uncovering novel Ras signaling roles.
To highlight the impact of biosensors on understanding cellular signaling and behavior.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on genetically encoded Ras biosensors.
Classification and description of various Ras biosensor types.
Analysis of studies employing Ras biosensors to investigate Ras signaling pathways.

Main Results:

Ras biosensors have illuminated spatiotemporal dynamics of Ras activity.
Novel roles for Ras signaling have been identified in subcellular compartments like the Golgi apparatus.
Biosensors have provided insights into Ras involvement in diverse cellular signaling events.

Conclusions:

Genetically encoded Ras biosensors are indispensable for dissecting Ras signaling.
These tools continue to reveal new functions of Ras in cellular processes.
Further development and application of Ras biosensors will advance our understanding of cell biology.