The Kras2 oncogene and mouse lung carcinogenesis

Med Mol Morphol. 2008 Dec;41(4):199-203. doi: 10.1007/s00795-008-0419-6. Epub 2008 Dec 24.

Abstract

Activating point mutations of the mouse Kras2 oncogene or its human homologue, KRAS, are critical for lung adenocarcinoma genesis, independent of the species. Significantly, in the mouse, several polymorphic Kras2 alleles have been identified, which cosegregate with genetic susceptibility to chemical induction of lung tumors. Moreover, a major lung tumor susceptibility locus, the Pas1 (Pulmonary adenoma susceptibility 1), was found to colocalize with Kras2 on distal chromosome 6 on linkage analysis. The Kras2 may thus be involved in both cellular transformation and genetic control of tumor susceptibility. In this review, the focus is on current knowledge regarding the relationship between Kras2 and experimental mouse lung carcinogenesis, especially from the aspect of disease predisposition. Because mouse and human lung tumors share considerable similarities, the experimental information should provide clues to personalized medicine in the human setting.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alleles
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Antigens, Nuclear
  • Genes, Tumor Suppressor
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Lung* / pathology
  • Lung* / physiology
  • Mice
  • Phenotype
  • Point Mutation
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) / genetics*

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Antigens, Nuclear
  • PASD1 protein, human
  • Hras protein, mouse
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)