title: Research Advances in the Role of RAS-GTPase-activating Proteins in Tumors.
abstract: A variety of molecules are involved in tumorigenesis,during which the RAS pathway-related molecules play key roles. RAS gene mutations exist in about 30% of human tumors;in some tumors(e.g. pancreatic adenocarcinomas),the mutation rates may rise to 75%-95%. Even in tumors without RAS mutations,the RAS pathway-related molecules can also be highly activated. RAS-GTPase-activating proteins(RASGAPs)are a group of tumor suppressors. They normally turn off RAS pathway by catalyzing the hydrolysis of RAS-GTP. However,the mutation or hypermethylation of their promoters will inactivate their roles and thus provide an alternative mechanism of activating Ras. This article reviews the research advances in the role of RASGAPs in the development of tumors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology,PUMC Hospital,CAMS and PUMC,Beijing 100730,China.
authors.forename: Hong-Kai
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology,PUMC Hospital,CAMS and PUMC,Beijing 100730,China.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D019175:DNA Methylation; D011905:Genes, ras; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D009369:Neoplasms; D020703:ras GTPase-Activating Proteins
chemical_list: D020703:ras GTPase-Activating Proteins