Equilibria between conformational states of the Ras oncogene protein revealed by high pressure crystallography

In this work, we experimentally investigate the allosteric transitions between conformational states on the Ras oncogene protein using high pressure crystallography. Ras protein is a small GTPase involved in central...

Differential expression of RAB8B in cancer of the vulva.

In these brief notes we document work using published microarray data (1, 2) to pioneer integrative transcriptome analysis comparing vulvar carcinoma to its tissue of origin, the vulva. We report the differential expression of RAB8B, member RAS oncogene family, encoded by RAB8B, in cancer of the vulva. RAB8B may be of pertinence to understanding transformation and disease progression in vulvar cancer (3).

Differential expression of RAP2A/RAP2B in cancer of the vulva.

In these brief notes we document work using published microarray data (1, 2) to pioneer integrative transcriptome analysis comparing vulvar carcinoma to its tissue of origin, the vulva. We report the differential expression of RAP2A and RAP2B, members of the RAS oncogene family, encoded by RAP2A/RAP2B, in cancer of the vulva. RAP2A/RAP2B may be of pertinence to understanding transformation and disease progression in vulvar cancer (3).

Differential expression of RAB31 in cancer of the vulva.

In these brief notes we document work using published microarray data (1, 2) to pioneer integrative transcriptome analysis comparing vulvar carcinoma to its tissue of origin, the vulva. We report the differential expression of RAB31, member RAS oncogene family, encoded by RAB31, in cancer of the vulva. RAB31 may be of pertinence to understanding transformation and disease progression in vulvar cancer (3).

K-RAS4A: Lead or Supporting Role in Cancer Biology?

The RAS oncogene is one of the most frequently mutated genes in human cancer, with K-RAS having a leading role in tumorigenesis. K-RAS undergoes alternative splicing, and as a result its transcript generates two gene products K-RAS4A and K-RAS4B, which are affected by the same oncogenic mutations, are highly homologous, and are expressed in a variety of human tissues at different levels. In addition, both isoforms localise to the plasma membrane by distinct targeting motifs. While some evidence suggests nonredundant functions for both splice variants, most work to date has focused on K-RAS4B, or even just K-RAS (i.e., without differentiating between the splice variants). This review aims to address the most relevant evidence published regarding K-RAS4A and to discuss if this “minor” isoform could also play a leading role in cancer, concluding that a significant body of evidence supports a leading role rather than a supporting (or secondary) role for K-RAS4A in cancer biology.

Anti-Fibrotic Activity of an Antimicrobial Peptide in a Drosophila Model

Fibrotic lesions accompany several pathological conditions, including tumors. We show that expression of a dominant-active form of the Ras oncogene in <i>Drosophila</i> salivary glands (SGs) leads to redistribution of components of the basement membrane (BM) and fibrotic lesions. Similar to several types of mammalian fibrosis, the disturbed BM attracts clot components, including insect transglutaminase and phenoloxidase. SG epithelial cells show reduced apicobasal polarity accompanied by a loss of secretory activity. Both the fibrotic lesions and the reduced cell polarity are alleviated by ectopic expression of the antimicrobial peptide drosomycin (Drs), which also restores the secretory activity of the SGs. In addition to extracellular matrix components, both Drs and F-actin localize to fibrotic lesions.

Anti-fibrotic activity of an antimicrobial peptide in a Drosophila model

Fibrotic lesions accompany several pathological conditions including tumors. We show that expression of a dominant-active form of the Ras oncogene in Drosophila salivary glands (SGs) leads to redistribution of components of the basement membrane (BM) and fibrotic lesions. Similar to several types of mammalian fibrosis, the disturbed BM attracts clot components including insect transglutaminase and phenoloxidase. SG epithelial cells show reduced apico-basal polarity accompanied by a loss of secretory activity. Both the fibrotic lesions and the reduced cell polarity are alleviated by ectopic expression of the antimicrobial peptide Drosomycin (Drs), which also restores secretory activity of the SGs. In addition to ECM components, both Drs and F-actin localize to fibrotic lesions.

Preparation of Graphene Composite and Its Application in the Detection of Tumor Markers

Pancreatic cancer is a malignant tumor with high mutation rate of K-ras oncogene. Therefore, a material capable of detecting the expression of K-ras oncogene was prepared, and it was expected to realize the early diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Graphene quantum dots (GQDs), as a new carbon nanomaterial, has good optical stability and low toxicity biocompatibility. However, pure GQDs has the defect of low quantum yield, which limits its application in ultra-sensitive detection. To enhance quantum yield of GQDs, nitrogen atoms were introduced into GQDs to obtain nitrogen-doped GQDs (N-GQDs). Compared with the unalloyed GQDs, the electrochemical luminescence (ECL) efficiency of the doped N-GQDs was improved greatly. Through the analysis of its ECL mechanism, the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was adopted as the connecting medium to adjust the distance between the GQDs and Aurum nanoparticles (AuNPs). Based on the energy transfer between GQDs and AuNPs, the change of ECL signal of GQDs was controlled. On the basis of this theory, N-GQDs@AuNPsssDNA composite was constructed, its morphology and chemical composition were characterized by various means, and its ECL properties were analyzed. Ultraviolet visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results showed that the graphene composite N-GQDs@AuNPs was successfully prepared. UV-Vis spectroscopy showed that the probe DNA was connected to AuNPs, which indicated that the production of N-GQDs@AuNPs-ssDNA was successfully realized. N-GQDs/AUNPs-ssDNA and target K-ras DNA were incubated at 37 C for 1 h to achieve DNA doublestranded hybridization. The results showed that the graphene composites prepared in this study could be used to quantitatively determine the target K-ras tumor markers.