Aberrant signaling through the Ras-BRaf-MAPK signal transduction pathway drives many cancers. This makes the pathway an attractive drug target, and many small molecules have been developed that target either Ras, BRaf or MAPK. In malignant melanoma, one mutation in particular, where valine 600 of Braf is mutated to a glutamic acid (V600E), is found in the majority of cases. This mutation makes BRaf activation independent of upstream Ras activity. Would a small molecule that targets Ras be effective in a melanoma case driven by Braf V600E? Explain your answer.

Biochemistry
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ISBN:9781319114671
Author:Lubert Stryer, Jeremy M. Berg, John L. Tymoczko, Gregory J. Gatto Jr.
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Chapter1: Biochemistry: An Evolving Science
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Aberrant signaling through the Ras-BRaf-MAPK signal transduction pathway drives many cancers. This makes the pathway an attractive drug target, and many small molecules have been developed that target either Ras, BRaf or MAPK.

In malignant melanoma, one mutation in particular, where valine 600 of Braf is mutated to a glutamic acid (V600E), is found in the majority of cases. This mutation makes BRaf activation independent of upstream Ras activity.

Would a small molecule that targets Ras be effective in a melanoma case driven by Braf V600E? Explain your answer.

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