title: Mutant KRAS, chromosomal instability and prognosis in colorectal cancer.
abstract: The RAS gene family provides a global effect on gene expression by encoding small GTP-binding proteins which act as molecular switches connecting extracellular signals with nuclear transcription factors. While wild type RAS proteins are switched off shortly after activation, mutant RAS proteins remain constitutively activated leading to complex interactions among their downstream effectors. For some human tumor types, these interactions were shown to contribute to cancer genesis and progression by inducing changes in cell survival, apoptosis, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis. This review addresses the controversial link of KRAS mutations in colorectal cancer with chromosomal instability and patient prognosis.
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Cancer Research, Largo R. Benzi, 10, 16132-Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Patrizio
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Castagnola
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Giaretti
mesh_terms: D043171:Chromosomal Instability / Q000235:genetics*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D011905:Genes, ras; D006801:Humans; D008957:Models, Genetic; D011379:Prognosis; D018631:ras Proteins / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D018631:ras Proteins