RAS oncogenic signal upregulates EZH2 in pancreatic cancer

► Oncogenic RAS upregulates EZH2 and downregulates RUNX3 in pancreatic cancer. ► We used the transgenic rat exogenously expressing human mutant RAS. ► Ezh2 protein upregulation is an initiating event in rat pancreatic carcinogenesis. ► MEK-inhibition or Elk-1-knockdown downregulates EZH2 and restores RUNX3. ► Elk-1- or EZH2-knockdown inhibits growth of pancreatic cancer cells.