Ras-related protein R-Ras (RRAS)

Ras-related protein R-Ras (RRAS) is a member of the Ras superfamily of small GTPases, functioning as a signal transducer in the regulation of cell growth, differentiation, survival, cytoskeletal organization, and cell adhesion. RRAS is closely related to but distinct from the classic Ras subfamily, with unique N- and C-terminal regions that influence localization and signaling specificity. RRAS plays a pivotal role in the modulation of angiogenesis and vascular stability, often acting to balance vessel maturation and migration. While RRAS shares the highly conserved switch domains critical for GTP/GDP cycling and effector recognition with other Ras proteins, it preferentially activates signaling through the PI3K/Akt pathway and has a lower affinity for Raf compared to canonical Ras isoforms. Increased or aberrant RRAS activity is implicated in several cancers and may contribute to tumor angiogenesis and metastasis through dysregulated cellular signaling and adhesion.

Other names

R-RasRRAS1p23Oncogene RRASras-related protein R-Rasras family small GTP binding protein R-Rasrelated RAS viral (r-ras) oncogene homolog

Drugs targeting Ras proteins generally aim to inhibit GTP binding or downstream effector interactions, but there are no RRAS-selective inhibitors in clinical use at this time. MAPK or PI3K pathway inhibitors may act downstream of RRAS but are not selective for this target.