Assessment of the Activation State of Ras and MAP Kinase in Human Breast Cancer Specimens
Abstract
Compared to the activation state of Ras in normal human breast tissue and in fibrocystic breast tissue, we found Ras activation levels to be significantly increased in 11 of 20 human breast cancers. The increased Ras activation in the 11 breast cancers correlated with expression of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor but did not correlate with expression of the ErbB-2 receptor, the c-FMS receptor, or a constitutively-activated EGF receptor; in none of the cancers was there evidence for an activating mutation in the ras gene. In the tumors with increased Ras activation, there was a marked increase in mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activity indicating that the increased Ras activation was physiologically significant. This work shows for the first time that Ras is activated in a significant number of breast cancers and that the mechanism of activation appears to be through increased expression of a growth factor receptor.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADB244688
Entities
People
- Gerry R. Boss
Organizations
- University of California, San Diego