Tuning protein synthesis for cancer therapy

Mol Cell Oncol. 2021 Feb 22;8(2):1884034. doi: 10.1080/23723556.2021.1884034.

Abstract

~50% of colorectal cancers have an activating mutation in KRAS (encoding the KRAS proto-oncogene) and remain difficult to target in the clinic. We have recently shown that activation of KRAS protein alters the regulation of mRNA translation, increasing total protein synthesis, and maintaining elevated c-MYC (MYC proto-oncogene) expression. Targeting these pathways downstream of KRAS reveals a striking dependency that has potential for clinical translation.

Keywords: KRAS mutation; MYC; Protein synthesis; colorectal cancer; eIF4E.