RESOURCES FROM KACTUS
Article: The Notorious KRAS
Natasha Slepak from KACTUS published an article talking about KRAS, a gene long considered the “undruggable” target of oncology. KRAS mutations drive some of the most lethal cancers, including pancreatic, colorectal, and lung cancers, by defying traditional therapeutic intervention due to its smooth surface and high affinity for its signaling partners.
Physiological Function and Mutations
KRAS acts as a molecular switch, cycling between an active (GTP-bound) and inactive (GDP-bound) state to regulate cell growth via the MAPK and PI3K pathways. Mutations at “hotspot” codons—primarily G12, G13, and Q61—lock the protein in a constitutive active state, leading to the unchecked cell proliferation characteristic of cancer.
Clinical Progress
The therapeutic landscape has shifted from “undruggable” to “druggable” through the discovery of covalent inhibitors and strategies targeting specific mutations. Current research is expanding to include pan-RAS inhibitors, combination therapies, and vaccines to address a broader range of KRAS-driven malignancies.
Kactus Solution
To empower KRAS-targeting therapeutic research, KACTUS provides high-quality MHC-peptide tools essential for the research on development of T-cell receptor (TCR)-based therapies.
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Explore their 80+ KRAS-peptide MHC recombinant proteins
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Explore their Peptide Free MHCs for your own in-house peptides
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Explore their Custom MHC Expression Services to streamline your research
*All products listed on this site and sold through LAB-A-PORTER Limited are for research use only (RUO). Not for human use. Not for therapeutic or diagnostic use.
ABOUT KACTUS
Provides quality recombinant proteins and enzymes that accelerate therapeutic development
Founded in 2018, KACTUS is a leading manufacturer of recombinant proteins and enzymes, providing both off-the-shelf products and custom protein services. Their extensive catalog includes over 3,000 recombinant proteins, featuring antibody drug targets, cytokines, transmembrane proteins, MHC monomers and tetramers, immune checkpoint proteins, biotinylated proteins, and more. They also offer AAV titration ELISA kits, GMP-grade gene editing enzymes, and other GMP enzymes. All their products undergo rigorous testing for purity and bioactivity to ensure quality performance and consistency. KACTUS is ISO 13485:2016 certified and operates state-of-the-art facilities, including a 10,000 sq. meter GMP-grade manufacturing site.