[5][6] It was the third RAS gene to be discovered, and was named NRAS, for its initial identification in human neuroblastoma cells.

The N-Ras gene consists of seven exons (-I, I, II, III, IV, V, VI).

Both transcripts encode identical proteins as they differ only the 3′ untranslated region.

[7] Mutations which change amino acid residues 12, 13 or 61 activate the potential of N-ras to transform cultured cells and are implicated in a variety of human tumors[7] e.g. melanoma.

Binimetinib (MEK162) has had a phase III clinical trial for NRAS Q61 mutant melanoma.