Question

Ras is apotent onc gene, it is called a binary switch what oes this mean? What type of mutation normally occurs with the Ras geen causing it to act as an onc gene? WHere is the Ras protein located? What is the function of an activated Ras gene?

Answer 1

Ras genes are called binary switch because they are responsible for regulating cell proliferation, cell differentiation, cell adhesion, apoptosis, as well as cell migration. They are capable of turning on and off these functions of cell.

Ras gene generally have a gain of function mutation due to which they are bound to GTP (ACTIVATED FORM) instead of GDP (INACTIVATED FORM) which leads to continuous signalling even without any signals.

Ras proteins are located in every animal cell lineage and has a role in signal transduction. When RAS is switched on by some signal, it subsequently switch on other related protein which ultimately lead to change in gene expression. It generally regulates genes involved in cell growth, and differentiation.

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