Definition for Ras gene
From Biology Forums Dictionary
Ras gene is named for “rat sarcoma” (the particular diseased tissue in which it was found by Edward Scolnick in 1978). The ras gene is also present in the human genome, and is believed to be responsible for some cancer related diseases like pancreatic cancer (up to 90% ), human colon cancers (50%) , lung cancers, etc. The ras gene codes for the production of ras proteins, which help to signal each cell to divide and grow at appropriate time(s); e.g., when free EGF “attaches” to relevant cell receptor on the plasma membrane. When the ras gene has been damaged or mutated (e.g., via exposure to cigarette smoke or ultraviolet light, etc.), it codes for (causes to be manufactured in the cell’s ribosome) a mutated version of the ras protein that can cause the cell to become cancerous (i.e., divide and grow uncontrollably).