K-Ras Plasma Membrane Interactions: A Tractable Therapeutic Target |Biomedgrid

Ras proteins are small GTPases that function like a molecular switch regulating cell proliferation, survival and differentiation at the plasma membrane (PM). Of the three major Ras isoforms, constitutively active mutations in K-Ras are frequently found in human cancers. Despite its critical role in tumorigenesis, no anti-K-Ras therapies are currently available in clinic. One strategy for blocking oncogenic K-Ras activity is to disrupt K-Ras interaction with the PM since K-Ras must primarily interact with the PM for its biological activity. This review will provide insights into recently reported molecular mechanisms that regulate K-Ras from the PM, which can be targeted to disrupt oncogenic K-Ras signaling.