The RET gene codes for a transmembrane tyrosine kinase which is a subunit of a multimeric complex that acts as a receptor for four structurally related molecules: the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), neurturin, artemin and persephin. Germline mutations of RET cause a dominantly inherited dysgenesis of the enteric nervous system known as Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR; aganglion...

RET/PTC3 junction oncogene is typical of radiation-induced childhood papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with a short latency period. Since, RET/PTC3 is only present in the tumour cells, thus represents an interesting target for specific therapy by small interfering RNA (siRNA). Our aim is to demonstrate in vitro and in vivo molecular and cellular effects of siRNA on RET/PTC3 knockdown for therap...

Retrieval of consolidated memories induces a labile phase during which memory can be disrupted or updated through a reconsolidation process. A central component of behavioral updating during reconsolidation using a retrieval-extinction manipulation (Ret+Ext) is the synaptic removal of a calcium-permeable-α-amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionate receptor (CP-AMPARs) in the lateral amyg...

RET gene rearrangements (RET/PTCs) represent together with BRAF point mutations the two major groups of mutations involved in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) initiation and progression. In this review, we will examine the mechanisms involved in RET/PTC-induced thyroid cell transformation. In detail, we will summarize the data on the molecular mechanisms involved in RET/PTC formation and in it...

Nogo-A is a membrane-bound protein that functions to inhibit neuronal migration, adhesion, and neurite outgrowth during development. In the mature nervous system, Nogo-A stabilizes neuronal wiring to inhibit neuronal plasticity and regeneration after injury. Here, we show that RET-1, the sole Nogo-A homolog in Caenorhabditis elegans, is required to control developmental wiring of a specific sub...

The Rearranged during transfection (RET) fusion gene is a newly identified oncogenic mutation in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The aim of this study is to explore the biological functions of the gene in tumorigenesis and metastasis in RET gene fusion-driven preclinical models. We also investigate the anti-tumor activity of Apatinib, a potent inhibitor of VEGFR-2, PDGFR-β, c-Src and RET, i...

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2) is a genetic syndrome caused by germline mutations in the RET proto-oncogene. These mutations cause changes in either the cysteine-rich extracellular domain or, less commonly, the non-cysteine intracellular domains of the RET protein. The genotype-phenotype correlations of classical cysteine RET mutations have been the subject of several comprehensive...

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the coding regions of RET are associated with Hirschsprung’s disease (HSCR, aganglionic megacolon,). These SNPs, individually or combined, may act as a low penetrance susceptibility locus or/and be in linkage disequilibrium (LD) with another susceptibility locus located in RET regulatory regions. Because two RET promoter SNPs have been found associated ...

The RET tyrosine kinase is required for the migration, proliferation, and survival of the enteric neural crest-derived cells (ENCCs) that form the enteric nervous system (ENS). Hypomorphic RET alleles cause intestinal aganglionosis [Hirschsprung disease (HSCR)], in which delayed migration and successive nonapoptotic ENCC death are considered to be major contributory factors. The significance of...

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) is an autosomal dominant inherited tumor syndrome caused by RET proto-oncogene germline mutations (RET). Here we tested the Conformation Sensitive Gel Electrophoresis (CSGE) as a screening method for RET hot-spot mutations. Seven MEN2 families were studied by direct sequencing analysis, CSGE and Single Strand Conformational Polymorphism (SSCP). Using C...