Ras Signaling in C. Elegans

Abstract

C. elegans is one of several model genetic organisms that have contributed substantially to our understanding of the role ras plays in signal transduction and development. Although ras has many developmental roles in C. elegans, it was the unbiased genetic identification and analysis of genes affecting vulval development that first provided a picture of ras function in a universal RTK-RAS-MAPK pathway. However, beyond the discovery of this seemingly simple linear pathway, C. elegans has furthered our appreciation for the complexities inherent in the regulation of RAS signaling. In this chapter, we summarize our current understanding of RAS signaling in C. elegans