Role of NF1 and NF2 in Signaling and Transformation

During the first year of our grant we have made progress on all three specific aims. First, for specific aim one, we have concentrated on the development of additional Ras effector domain mutants to determine the role of NF1 as an effector of Ras function. Second, for our studies in specific aim two, we have characterized a novel farnesyltransferase inhibitor that may have properties that will render it more effective in our studies to determine if such inhibitors of Ras can effectively block NF1 - and NF2-deficient tumor cells. Third, for specific aim three, we have determined that NF2 blocks Ras transformation, in part, by blocking the action of the Rac small GTPase.