The Role of R-Ras Proteins in Normal and Pathologic Migration and Morphologic Change

The contributions that the R-Ras subfamily (R-Ras, R-Ras2/TC21 and M-Ras) of small GTP-binding proteins make to normal and aberrant cellular functions have historically been poorly understood. However, this has begun to change with the realization that all three R-Ras subfamily members are occasionally mutated in Noonan syndrome, a RASopathy characterized by the development of hematopoietic neoplasms and abnormalities affecting the immune, cardiovascular and nervous systems. Consistent with the abnormalities seen in Noonan syndrome, a host of new studies have implicated R-Ras proteins in physiologic and pathologic changes in cellular morphology, adhesion, and migration in the cardiovascular, immune, and nervous systems.
Source: American Journal of Pathology - Category: Pathology Authors: Tags: Review Source Type: research