RAS subfamily in GtoPdb v.2025.3

Abstract

The RAS proteins (HRAS, NRAS and KRAS) are small membrane-localised G protein-like molecules of 21 kd. They act as an on/off switch linking receptor and non-receptor tyrosine kinase activation to downstream cytoplasmic or nuclear events. Binding of GTP activates the switch, and hydrolysis of the GTP to GDP inactivates the switch.

The RAS proto-oncogenes are the most frequently mutated class of proteins in human cancers. Common mutations compromise the GTP-hydrolysing ability of the proteins causing constitutive activation [38], which leads to increased cell proliferation and decreased apoptosis [49]. Because of their importance in oncogenic transformation these proteins have become the targets of intense drug discovery effort [2].