What is it about?
A short review of the existing evidence supporting the biological relevance and potential therapeutic value of Ras dimers.
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Why is it important?
Ras is a key regulator of cell physiology and a commonly mutated gene in human cancers. Despite extensive research, however, mutant Ras has remained an intractable drug target. Accumulating evidence suggests that Ras may need to form dimers to be biologically active. This new mechanism may open up new avenues to targeting mutant Ras in human cancers.
Perspectives
The Ras small GTPases have been studied for over 4 decades, yet fundamental aspects of their properties are still unclear. Formation of Ras dimers on the membrane was speculated many years ago, but definitive evidence for the existence of these structures and their potential roles in cell signaling has just become available. More studies are expected to further elucidate how Ras forms dimers and what they do in cells.
Dr Xiaolin Nan
Oregon Health and Science University Foundation
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Ras Dimer Formation as a New Signaling Mechanism and Potential Cancer Therapeutic Target, Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, February 2016, Bentham Science Publishers,
DOI: 10.2174/1389557515666151001152212.
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