NOVEL RAS REGULATORS IN CANCER & HOMEOSTASIS

We use murine and cellular genetic models to characterize new signalling pathways and oncogenic functions that govern the onset and progression of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Mounting evidences suggest that membrane-bound RAS molecules segregate into multimers known as nanoclusters. These structures are regulated through protein–protein and protein–lipid interactions but most of the molecular details that govern the biology and function of such membrane clusters are still ignored. Together with our collaborators we identified a key role of KRAS membrane dimerization in this process. Whether KRAS dimers exist as bona-fide independent signalling components or whether they represent a transient step leading to the formation of nanoclusters is also unclear. Our immediate goal is to understand the molecular basis underlying this feature and to functionally characterize yet unknown protein factors required to assemble a KRAS-dependent signalling platform. Furthermore, our rese