Final answer:
The statement that mutations of genes encoding Ras proteins are rarely involved in cancer is false. Ras gene mutations are found in about 30 percent of all cancers, making them a significant factor in cancer development and an important focus in cancer research.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the question of whether mutations of genes encoding Ras proteins are rarely involved in cancer is False. Ras proteins, in particular, are highly significant in the context of cancer biology as they play a central role in cell growth and division. Genes that encode signaling proteins like Ras are kinds of oncogenes. Oncogenes have the potential to cause cancer when they become mutated.
A mutation in the Ras gene can prevent correct cell cycle regulation, leading to uncontrolled cell division and consequently, cancer. Indeed, mutations in Ras proteins are not rare in the context of cancer; they are quite prevalent, with studies indicating that about 30 percent of cancers have mutations in the Ras gene. These include a range of different cancers with varying impacts on the body.
Therefore, while the genes for Ras proteins contribute to normal cell functions when mutated, they can lead to tumor growth and the spread of cancer cells through metastasis. This highlights the significance of Ras mutations in the field of cancer research and the development of targeted therapies.