Journal
BRITISH JOURNAL OF CANCER
Volume 104, Issue 2, Pages 229-234Publisher
NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP
DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6606009
Keywords
Raf kinases; Ras pathway; epidermal development; carcinogenesis; differentiation therapy
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
The epidermis is the outermost layer of the body and protects it from environmental insults. This crucial function is sustained by a continuous process of self-renewal involving the carefully balanced proliferation and differentiation of progenitor cells constantly replacing the mature cells at the surface of the epidermis. Genetic changes in the signalling pathways controlling keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation disrupt this balance and lead to pathological changes including carcinogenesis. This review discusses the role of Ras, an oncogene critically involved in the development of skin neoplasia, and its downstream effector Raf in epidermal homeostasis and tumourigenesis. In particular, we will focus on the recently established role of Raf-1 as the decisive element that, by restraining keratinocyte differentiation, allows the development and maintenance of Ras-driven tumours. British Journal of Cancer (2011) 104, 229-234. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6606009 www.bjcancer.com Published online 16 November 2010 (C) 2011 Cancer Research UK
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available