Abstract:Ras proteins are small GTPases that regulate growth, differentiation, survival, and cell death. Prenylation, the addition of either a farnesyl (15 carbon chain lipid) or geranylgeranyl (20 carbon chain lipid) group, allows Ras and other small GTPases to anchor into the plasma membrane, a necessary step for Ras to activate multiple signaling pathways, including the MAPK cascades. The specific CAAX motif at the C terminus of a protein determines whether it can be farnesylated, geranylgeranylated, or both. There … Show more
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