Role of ES cell-expressed Ras (ERas) in tumorigenicity of gastric cancer.

ABSTRACT: ERas, a unique member of the Ras family, was initially found only in embryonic stem (ES) cells, where it plays a crucial role in the transformation of transplanted ES cells to teratomas. ERas is involved in ES cell survival, and unlike other Ras family members, is constitutively active without any mutations. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and role of ERas in human gastric cancer. To test whether ERas played a significant role in human cancer cells, we examined its expression and function in gastric cancer. ERas was expressed in gastric cancer cell lines at different levels. Induction of ERas expression activated the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt axis and then enhanced anchorage-independent growth and ERas knockdown by siRNA suppressed cell invasion. Immu

SUBMITTER: Kubota E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2913346 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature