Several proteins are pivotal in cancer pathways. The p53 protein, encoded by the TP53 gene, is a major tumor suppressor that regulates the cell cycle and promotes apoptosis. The BCL-2 protein family is involved in regulating apoptosis, and its overexpression can result in resistance to cell death, a hallmark of cancer. Additionally, the RAS protein family is involved in signaling pathways that control cell proliferation; mutations in RAS genes are common in cancers such as pancreatic, colorectal, and lung cancer.
