KRAS mutation
KRAS (shortened name for the gene Kirsten RAt Sarcoma viral oncogene homolog) mutations are associated in a number of malignancies including:
Several germline KRAS mutations have also been found to be associated with some syndromes such as:
- Noonan syndrome
- cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome
- serrated polyposis syndrome
The gene provides instructions for a protein called K-Ras, which is part of a signaling pathway (RAS/MAPK pathway), instructing the cell to grow and divide, or to mature and take on specialized functions (i.e. differentiate).