KRAS

Type

Gene (protein-coding, proto-oncogene)

Description

KRAS encodes a small GTPase that functions as a molecular switch in signal transduction pathways controlling cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. Activating mutations (most commonly at codons 12, 13, and 61) are driver events in pancreatic, colorectal, and lung adenocarcinomas. KRAS was historically considered “undruggable” until the development of G12C-specific covalent inhibitors. KRAS mutations are frequently clonal and truncal, making them useful markers for ctDNA-based monitoring.

External identifiers

• HGNC: 6407
• NCBI Gene: 3845
• UniProt: P01116

Wiki sources

• pcawg2020-pan-cancer-analysis — Pan-cancer driver catalog
• gerstung2020-evolutionary-history-cancer — Early clonal drivers across cancer types
• turajlic2019-genetic-heterogeneity-cancer — Driver mutations and clonal sweeps