# MUTANT RAS ONCOGENES IN HUMAN TUMORS

> **NIH NIH R01** · CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF BIOLOGICAL RES · 1989 · $180,421

## Abstract

We have developed a novel diagnostic method to detect single
point mutations in transcribed genes which is based on the ability
of RNAseA to recognize and cleave single base mismatches in
RNA:RNA heteroduplexes, and we have applied this method to
analyze the involvement of ras mutational activation in human
tumorigenesis.  Our data support the concept that ras oncogenes
are contributing in a dominant but dose-dependent manner to the
process of tumor development and progression and for the first
time demonstrate the frequent involvement of somatic ras
mutational activation in the early stages of human tumorigenesis.

We propose in this application to continue these studies to resolve
a series of issues raised by our previous findings concerning the
role that mutant ras oncognees are playing in human
tumorigenesis.  The experimental strategy will involve a screening
descriptive approach by utilization of combinations of molecular
genetics diagnostic techniques to detect, characterize and
estimate the relative expression level of mutant ras oncogenes in
human tumors at different stages of progression, and a functional
approach using animal tumorigenicity and metastasis model
systems.  Emphasis will be made in the analysis of human colon
carcinomatogenesis, inluding benign adenomatous polyps and
villous adenomas. Clinical follow-up studies will be performed in
an effort to determine whether apparent corelations previously
found between various aspects of the nature and expression levels
of the c-K-ras onogene and the histopathological charateristics of
the corresponding colon tumors could have a prognostic value for
this common type of human cancer.

Successful development of these studies would have direct
applications for diagnosis and prognosis in human cancer and
should yield useful information at the molecular genetic level on
the role of oncogene activation in various basic aspects of tumor
biology such as the metastatic process and the heterogeneity of
solid tumors.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3176654
- **Project number:** 5R01CA038579-06
- **Recipient organization:** CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF BIOLOGICAL RES
- **Principal Investigator:** MANUEL PERUCHO
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1989
- **Award amount:** $180,421
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1988-09-30 → 1992-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3176654

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3176654, MUTANT RAS ONCOGENES IN HUMAN TUMORS (5R01CA038579-06). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3176654. Licensed CC0.

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