TC21, a Ras-related oncoprotein, as a target for_x000D_ geranylgeranyltransferase inhibitors in anticancer treatment (2004)

Undergraduates: Rhonda Litterer, Theresa Grana finished

Faculty Advisor: Adrienne Cox
Department: Biology

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TC21 is a member of the Ras family of GTP binding proteins important in the regulation of many different cell processes, and when proteins of this class of GTPases are overexpressed or mutated, they can lead to cancer. Aberrant activation of TC21 promotes tumorigenic transformation in NIH-3T3 cells and can increase motility and invasiveness of tumors, particularly in breast carcinoma cells. Geranylgeranyltransferase inhibitors (GGTIs) are one class of drugs that are being developed to block the function of Ras family proteins. GGTIs work by preventing the attachment of a geranylgeranyl isoprenoid lipid group to certain Ras family proteins, making them nonfunctional.