Recombinant Proteins
Product List
KRAS 2A Human
Kirsten Rat Sarcoma Viral Oncogene, Isoform 2A Human Recombinant
KRAS 2A is fused to a 24 amino acid His-tag at N-terminus & purified by proprietary chromatographic techniques.
KRAS 2B Human
Kirsten Rat Sarcoma Viral Oncogene, Isoform 2B Human Recombinant
The Human KRAS 2B is fused to a 20 amino acid His-Tag at N-terminus and purified by proprietary chromatographic techniques.
Introduction
The Kirsten Rat Sarcoma Viral Oncogene (KRAS) is a gene that encodes a protein called K-Ras, which is part of the RAS/MAPK signaling pathway. This pathway is crucial for transmitting signals from outside the cell to the cell’s nucleus, instructing the cell to grow, divide, or differentiate . KRAS is classified as a proto-oncogene, meaning it has the potential to cause cancer when mutated or expressed at high levels . It belongs to the RAS gene family, which also includes HRAS and NRAS .
Key Biological Properties: KRAS is a small GTPase, an enzyme that binds and hydrolyzes guanosine triphosphate (GTP). It acts as a molecular switch, cycling between an active GTP-bound state and an inactive GDP-bound state .
Expression Patterns: KRAS is ubiquitously expressed in various tissues, with higher expression levels in tissues that have high rates of cell division, such as the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, and pancreas .
Tissue Distribution: KRAS is found in many tissues, including the lungs, colon, pancreas, and urogenital tract. It is particularly significant in tissues where it is frequently mutated, such as in pancreatic, colorectal, and lung adenocarcinomas .
Primary Biological Functions: KRAS plays a critical role in regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. It is involved in the propagation of growth factor signals, which are essential for normal cellular functions .
Role in Immune Responses and Pathogen Recognition: While KRAS is primarily known for its role in cell growth and cancer, it also has implications in immune responses. Mutations in KRAS can influence the tumor microenvironment and immune cell infiltration, affecting how the immune system recognizes and responds to cancer cells .
Mechanisms with Other Molecules and Cells: KRAS interacts with various molecules, including guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs), which regulate its activation state . When activated, KRAS binds to GTP and interacts with downstream effectors such as RAF, PI3K, and RalGDS, initiating multiple signaling cascades .
Binding Partners and Downstream Signaling Cascades: KRAS activates several key signaling pathways, including the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT pathways. These pathways are involved in cell growth, survival, and metabolism . The activation of these pathways leads to the transcription of genes that promote cell proliferation and survival .
Transcriptional Regulation: The expression of KRAS is regulated at the transcriptional level by various transcription factors and regulatory elements in its promoter region .
Post-Translational Modifications: KRAS undergoes several post-translational modifications, including farnesylation, which is essential for its attachment to the cell membrane and its proper function . Other modifications, such as phosphorylation and ubiquitination, also play roles in regulating KRAS activity and stability .
Biomedical Research: KRAS is a major focus in cancer research due to its high mutation rate in various cancers. Understanding KRAS signaling and its mutations helps in developing targeted therapies .
Diagnostic Tools: Detecting KRAS mutations is crucial for diagnosing certain cancers and determining the appropriate treatment strategies. Techniques such as PCR and next-generation sequencing are commonly used for this purpose .
Therapeutic Strategies: Targeting KRAS has been challenging, but recent advances have led to the development of specific inhibitors for KRAS mutations, such as KRAS G12C inhibitors . These inhibitors have shown promise in clinical trials and are being explored for their therapeutic potential .
Development to Aging and Disease: KRAS plays a role throughout the life cycle, from embryonic development to aging. During development, KRAS is involved in cell differentiation and organogenesis . In adults, KRAS mutations are associated with various cancers, and its activity can influence the progression and prognosis of these diseases .
KRAS remains a critical target for cancer research and therapy, with ongoing studies aimed at better understanding its functions and developing effective treatments for KRAS-mutant cancers.
