Ratner Lab
Ras Proteins in NF1 Schwann Cells

Ras Proteins in NF1 Schwann Cells

Neurofibromin, the product of the NF1 gene, is one of a family of GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) that accelerate hydrolysis of active Ras-GTP to inactive Ras-GDP. Loss of neurofibromin (through mutations in NF1) causes a failure to terminate Ras signals and increases levels of active Ras. Our lab previously showed that Schwann cells cultured from human neurofibromas have high levels of active Ras. There are many (6) different members of the Ras protein family, that can affect different cellular responses, and a non-canonical Ras protein, TC21/R-Ras2 plays a role in tumor initiation, as described by Deanna Patmore, a previous graduate student in the laboratory. We are continuing elucidating the role of individual Ras proteins in Schwann cell tumor cells.

Related Publications

Currier MA, Sprague L, Rizvi TA, Nartker B, Chen CY, Wang PY, Hutzen BJ, Franczek MR, Patel AV, Chaney KE, Streby KA, Ecsedy JA, Conner J, Ratner N, Cripe TP. Aurora A kinase inhibition enhances oncolytic herpes virotherapy through cytotoxic synergy and innate cellular immune modulation. Oncotarget. 2017 Mar 14;8(11):17412-17427.

Patmore DM, Welch S, Fulkerson PC, Wu J, Choi K, Eaves D, Kordich JJ, Collins MH, Cripe TP, Ratner N. In vivo regulation of TGF-β by R-Ras2 revealed through loss of the RasGAP protein NF1. Cancer Res. 2012 Oct 15;72(20):5317-27.

Patel AV, Eaves D, Jessen WJ, Rizvi TA, Ecsedy JA, Qian MG, Aronow BJ, Perentesis JP, Serra E, Cripe TP, Miller SJ, Ratner N. Ras-driven transcriptome analysis identifies aurora kinase A as a potential malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor therapeutic target. Clin Cancer Res. 2012 Sep 15;18(18):5020-30.

Huang Y, Rangwala F, Fulkerson PC, Ling B, Reed E, Cox AD, Kamholz J, Ratner N. Role of TC21/R-Ras2 in enhanced migration of neurofibromin-deficient Schwann cells. Oncogene. 2004 Jan 15;23(2):368-78.

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For more information about the lab, contact Nancy Ratner, PhD, at  513-636-9469. 
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