The RT-qPCR analyses also showed that pro-apoptotic genes (baxa and puma) are downregulated and anti-apoptotic genes (bcl2 and mcl1a) are upregulated, suggesting that this combination of mutations may prevent apoptosis of melanocytes expressing edited oncogenic nras (Fig. 4g, f) and allow cancer cell survival and proliferation. This evidence concerns the gene NRAS and cancer.