2019 - RAS Dialogue Blog
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Taking RAS Research to SpaceHigh-quality crystal structures of RAS are essential for developing new drugs for this difficult target. Crystals of RAS protein grown on the International Space Station had improved qualities compared to those grown in earth gravity.
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The Role of Mitochondrial Dynamics in Ras-driven CancersMitochondria are dynamic structures that respond to the metabolic needs of cells. The altered metabolism of cells driven by oncogenic KRAS genes results in mitochondrial fission. Blocking mitochondrial fission limits transformation and tumor growth.
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Covalent Inhibitors of RASA “tethered screening” approach is opening new doors to drugging RAS proteins. The NCI RAS Initiative is developing small molecules that covalently modify cysteine-185 and histidine-95 of KRAS.
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Modeling Treatments for Ras and Raf CancersDetails of how Raf inhibitors interact with their protein targets enable modeling of how drug resistance develops. Together with other biochemical data, computational models predict how to combine inhibitors for more effective cancer treatments.
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The Stroma of Pancreatic Cancer Supports Proliferation of Tumor CellsPancreatic cancer cells activate stellate cells in their microenvironment, causing them to secrete lipid molecules. Some of these molecules are converted to a potent signaling lipid, which increases cancer growth.