title: Analysis of Ras transformation of human thyroid epithelial cells.
abstract: Activation of Ras oncogene by point mutations is an early frequent event in thyroid tumorigenesis. In this chapter, we describe the use of human primary thyroid follicular epithelial cells expressing oncogenic mutant Ras by means of retroviral transduction as a biological model of human cancer initiation that provides powerful insights into thyroid tumorigenesis. We describe protocols for manipulating primary epithelial cells and describe the use of this model to dissect the signaling pathways required for Ras-induced proliferation in these cells. We also highlight the importance of studying Ras signaling in an appropriate cell context, summarizing some of the key differences identified between more widespread experimental models based on fibroblasts or rodent cell lines and primary epithelial cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Zaruhi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Poghosyan
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wynford-Thomas
mesh_terms: D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006801:Humans; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D015689:Oncogene Protein p21(ras) / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000502:physiology; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000235:genetics; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000166:cytology* / Q000473:pathology; D048490:raf Kinases / Q000502:physiology; D020726:ral Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor / Q000502:physiology; D018631:ras Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D020726:ral Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; D048490:raf Kinases; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D015689:Oncogene Protein p21(ras); D018631:ras Proteins