The RAS/ERK pathway has been intensely studied for about three decades, not least because of its role in human pathologies. ERK activation is observed in the majority of human cancers; in about one-third of them, it is driven by mutational activation of pathway components. The pathway is arguably one of the best targets for molecule-based pharmacological intervention, and several small-molecule inhibitors are in clinical use. Genetically engineered mouse models have greatly contributed to our understanding of signaling pathways in development, tissue homeostasis, and disease. In the specific case of the RAS/ERK pathway, they have revealed unique biological roles of structurally and functionally similar proteins, new kinase-independent effectors, and unsuspected relationships with other cascades. This short review summarizes the contribution of mouse models to our current understanding of the pathway.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
February 2017
-
Cover Image
Cover Image
The surface of the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase PP1 (central 3D-structure) has many binding sites for regulatory proteins that are embedded in regulatory networks (coloured circles linked by lines). Please see pp. 89–99 for more information. Image provided by Mathieu Bollen.
Review Article|
February 15 2017
Deciphering the RAS/ERK pathway in vivo
Coralie Dorard;
Coralie Dorard
1Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Center for Molecular Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna 1030, Austria
Search for other works by this author on:
Georg Vucak;
Georg Vucak
1Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Center for Molecular Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna 1030, Austria
Search for other works by this author on:
Manuela Baccarini
1Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Center for Molecular Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna 1030, Austria
Correspondence: Manuela Baccarini (manuela.baccarini@univie.ac.at)
Search for other works by this author on:
Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
May 27 2016
Revision Received:
November 03 2016
Accepted:
November 07 2016
Online ISSN: 1470-8752
Print ISSN: 0300-5127
© 2017 The Author(s); published by Portland Press Limited on behalf of the Biochemical Society
2017
Biochem Soc Trans (2017) 45 (1): 27–36.
Article history
Received:
May 27 2016
Revision Received:
November 03 2016
Accepted:
November 07 2016
Citation
Coralie Dorard, Georg Vucak, Manuela Baccarini; Deciphering the RAS/ERK pathway in vivo. Biochem Soc Trans 8 February 2017; 45 (1): 27–36. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BST20160135
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Sign in to your personal account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Captcha Validation Error. Please try again.