This web page was produced as an assignment for Genetics 677, an undergraduate course at UW-Madison.

Protein Interactions

The protein interaction network of KRAS below is obtained from STRING[1]. Written here are some of the description of the proteins that interact with KRAS, PTPN11 Acts downstream of various receptor and cytoplasmic protein tyrosine kinases to participate in the signal transduction from the cell surface to the nucleus. Son of sevenless homolog 1 (SOS-1); Promotes the exchange of Ras-bound GDP by GTP..ERBB2; Essential component of a neuregulin-receptor complex, although neuregulins do not interact with it alone. GP30 is a potential ligand for this receptor. Not activated by EGF, TGF- alpha and amphiregulin

Analysis

As expected from a RAS protein, the majority of proteins that interact with KRAS are involved heavily in the development and regulation of cells. This indicates that KRAS has important roles in development and regulation of cells, explaining why it is such an important oncogene in a variety of cancers. In addition to that, some of the proteins promote the formation of RAS-GTP or GDP, regulating the KRAS pathway modifying the KRAS protein. A notable protein in this interaction network is PTPN11, which functions downstream of KRAS. Mutations in this protein has been found in some JMML patients.

References

1. String
http://string-db.org/