Kirsten rat sarcoma virus oncogene homolog mRNA (KRAS mRNA) (KRAS mRNA)

Kirsten rat sarcoma virus oncogene homolog (KRAS) mRNA is the messenger RNA transcript that encodes the KRAS protein, a small GTPase essential for cellular signal transduction [1, 2]. As a member of the Ras protein family, the KRAS protein translated from this mRNA acts as a molecular switch, relaying signals from cell surface receptors to downstream pathways such as the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT cascades [3, 4]. These pathways are critical regulators of cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival [5]. While mutations in the KRAS gene are among the most common drivers of human cancers—particularly in pancreatic, colorectal, and lung tissues—the wild-type mRNA itself is a target for therapeutic intervention using antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) [1, 6]. These modalities aim to degrade the mRNA transcript, thereby preventing the synthesis of both mutant and wild-type KRAS protein isoforms [1, 7]. However, because wild-type KRAS is vital for normal physiological processes, a major therapeutic challenge is achieving a therapeutic window that inhibits tumor growth without causing prohibitive systemic toxicity [1, 8].

Other names

KRAS proto-oncogene, GTPase mRNAc-K-ras mRNAK-ras mRNAKirsten rat sarcoma 2 viral oncogene homolog mRNA

Antisense oligonucleotide-mediated RNase H cleavage and degradation of mRNA