Adhesion-Dependent Regulation of Mutant K-Ras Protein Levels in Lung Cancer
Abstract
In many cancers, gain-of-function mutations in K-Ras cause enhanced proliferation and survival leading to tumorigenicity and increased risk of metastasis. Mutant K-Ras is a major driver of metastasis in lung cancer and is highly correlated with poor prognosis. Mutations that give rise to constitutively active K-Ras proteins elevate downstream pathways independent of growth factor stimulation. In clinical and translational cancer research little is known regarding whether the expression of the mutant K-Rasis heterogenous in the primary tumor and, if so, whether this affects metastatic progression. This study was designed to investigate differential protein expression levels of K-Ras in lung cancer and how this can contribute to malignant lung cancer progression. Even though the set-up of some in vitro experiments turned out to be very challenging, we are happy to report that the funds provided by this award have supported the generation of data that have set the stage for further in vivo investigation into the mechanisms that coordinate K-Ras protein levels and with K-Ras mRNA levels.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1094230
Entities
People
- Anette C. Schafer
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology