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Janet asked in Science & MathematicsBiology · 1 decade ago

Cell Bio question about Ras?

A single amino acid change in Ras eliminates its ability to hydrolyze GTP, even in

the presence of a GTPase-activated protein (GAP). Roughly 30% of human cancers

have this change in Ras. You have identified a small molecule that prevents

dimerization of a receptor tyrosine kinase that signals via Ras. Would you expect

this molecule to be effective in the treatment of cancers that express this

common, mutant form of Ras? Why of why not?

1 Answer

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  • ?
    Lv 4
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    If the receptor tyrosine kinases cannot dimerize, then they cannot activate the pathway which results in the activation of Ras. Thus, Ras will never be stimulated to exchange its GDP for GTP. If it never has GTP bound, you don't have to worry about it hydrolyzing its bound GTP.

    Thus, this molecule would likely be effective in the treatment of cancers.

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