NRAS Human

NRAS was discovered by a team of researchers led by Robin Weiss at the Institute of Cancer Research in London. It was the third Ras gene to be identified and was named NRAS due to its initial identification in human neuroblastoma cells .

In humans, the NRAS gene is located on chromosome 1 at the position 1p13.2. The gene spans approximately 12,302 base pairs and consists of several exons and introns . The NRAS protein is a small GTPase that cycles between inactive GDP-bound and active GTP-bound conformations, regulating cellular responses to various extracellular stimuli .

The NRAS protein is involved in the Ras signaling pathway, which is critical for regulating cell growth and differentiation. It functions by binding to GTP and GDP, and its activity is regulated by the conversion between these two states. When bound to GTP, NRAS is active and can interact with downstream effectors to propagate signals that promote cell proliferation and survival .

Mutations in the NRAS gene are associated with various types of cancer, including melanoma, leukemia, and neuroblastoma. These mutations often result in the constitutive activation of the NRAS protein, leading to uncontrolled cell growth and tumor development . NRAS mutations are particularly common in melanoma, where they are found in approximately 15-20% of cases .

Recombinant NRAS protein is produced using recombinant DNA technology, which involves inserting the NRAS gene into a suitable expression system, such as bacteria or yeast, to produce the protein in large quantities. This recombinant protein is used in various research applications to study the function of NRAS and its role in cancer .