KRAS (Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog)

KRAS is a gene that produces a protein involved in controlling cell growth and division. It acts as a molecular switch, turning signals on or off to guide normal cell functions. When KRAS mutates, it can become permanently active, leading to uncontrolled cell growth, which is a common pathway in the development of various cancers, including pancreatic, colorectal, and lung cancers. Understanding KRAS is important for developing targeted therapies to treat these cancers by disabling the faulty signals that cause abnormal cell proliferation.