Neuroblastoma RAS viral oncogene homolog messenger RNA (NRAS mRNA)

NRAS mRNA is the messenger RNA transcript of the NRAS gene, which encodes a member of the Ras family of small GTPases. This protein plays a critical role in the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways, which regulate fundamental cellular processes such as growth, differentiation, and survival (Source: UniProt, P01111). Mutations in the NRAS gene, and consequently its mRNA, are frequently found in human cancers—most notably in approximately 15-25% of melanomas and various leukemias—leading to the production of a constitutively active protein that drives oncogenesis (Source: PubMed, PMID: 21859245). While the NRAS protein has historically been considered 'undruggable' due to its high affinity for GTP and lack of suitable small-molecule binding pockets, the NRAS mRNA has emerged as an alternative therapeutic target. Strategies such as antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), and small molecules targeting the G-quadruplex structures within the mRNA's 5' untranslated region (UTR) are being explored to inhibit the translation of the oncogenic protein (Source: PubMed, PMID: 26160123; PMID: 30356155). These approaches aim to deplete the pool of NRAS protein at the source, potentially providing a more effective means of controlling NRAS-driven malignancies.

Other names

NRAS transcriptNRAS proto-oncogene GTPase mRNANeuroblastoma RAS viral (v-ras) oncogene homolog mRNANRAS messenger RNA

RNA interference (RNAi), Antisense-mediated RNase H degradation, Translation inhibition, and G-quadruplex stabilization to prevent ribosome scanning.