Mechanisms of membrane binding of small GTPase K-Ras4B farnesylated hypervariable region

Oncogenic Ras Isoforms Signaling Specificity at the Membrane

How do Ras isoforms attain oncogenic specificity at the membrane? Oncogenic KRas, HRas, and NRas (K-Ras, H-Ras, and N-Ras) differentially populate distinct cancers. How they selectively activate effectors and why is KRas4B the most prevalent are highly significant questions. Here, we consider determinants that may bias isoform-specific effector activation and signaling at the membrane. We merge functional data with a conformational view to provide mechanistic insight. Cell-specific expression levels, pathway cross-talk, and distinct interactions are the key, but conformational trends can modulate selectivity. There are two major pathways in oncogenic Ras-driven proliferation: MAPK (Raf/MEK/ERK) and PI3Kα/Akt/mTOR. All membrane-anchored, proximally located, oncogenic Ras isoforms can promote Raf dimerization and fully activate MAPK signaling. So why the differential statistics of oncogenic isoforms in distinct cancers and what makes KRas so highly oncogenic? Many cell-specific factors may be at play, including higher KRAS mRNA levels. As a key factor, we suggest that because only KRas4B binds calmodulin, only KRas can fully activate PI3Kα/Akt signaling. We propose that full activation of both MAPK and PI3Kα/Akt proliferative pathways by oncogenic KRas4B-but not by HRas or NRas-may help explain why the KRas4B isoform is especially highly populated in certain cancers. We further discuss pharmacologic implications. Cancer Res; 78(3); 593-602. ©2017 AACR.

Oncogenic Ras Isoforms Signaling Specificity at the Membrane

How do Ras isoforms attain oncogenic specificity at the membrane? Oncogenic KRas, HRas, and NRas (K-Ras, H-Ras, and N-Ras) differentially populate distinct cancers. How they selectively activate effectors and why is KRas4B the most prevalent are highly significant questions. Here, we consider determinants that may bias isoform-specific effector activation and signaling at the membrane. We merge functional data with a conformational view to provide mechanistic insight. Cell-specific expression levels, pathway cross-talk, and distinct interactions are the key, but conformational trends can modulate selectivity. There are two major pathways in oncogenic Ras-driven proliferation: MAPK (Raf/MEK/ERK) and PI3Kα/Akt/mTOR. All membrane-anchored, proximally located, oncogenic Ras isoforms can promote Raf dimerization and fully activate MAPK signaling. So why the differential statistics of oncogenic isoforms in distinct cancers and what makes KRas so highly oncogenic? Many cell-specific factors may be at play, including higher KRAS mRNA levels. As a key factor, we suggest that because only KRas4B binds calmodulin, only KRas can fully activate PI3Kα/Akt signaling. We propose that full activation of both MAPK and PI3Kα/Akt proliferative pathways by oncogenic KRas4B-but not by HRas or NRas-may help explain why the KRas4B isoform is especially highly populated in certain cancers. We further discuss pharmacologic implications. Cancer Res; 78(3); 593-602. ©2017 AACR.

Is Nanoclustering essential for all oncogenic KRas pathways? Can it explain why wild-type KRas can inhibit its oncogenic variant?

Membrane-anchored oncogenic KRas can dimerize, form nanoclusters, and signal through the MAPK (Raf/MEK/ERK) and PI3Kα/Akt/mTOR. Both pathways are needed in KRAS-driven proliferation. Here we ask: Is oncogenic KRas nanoclustering (or dimerization) essential for all KRas signaling pathways? Raf kinase domain dimerization, thus MAPK activation, requires KRas nanoclusters. By contrast, the PI3Kα heterodimer acts as a monomeric unit; thus, does PI3Kα activation and PI3Kα/Akt/mTOR signaling require nanoclustering? Further, calmodulin binds only to oncogenic KRas4B. Here we ask: Does calmodulin downregulate KRas4B cancer development as suggested early on, or promote it? We also ask: Why is oncogenic KRas4B the most abundant isoform? Does wild-type Ras indeed inhibit its oncogenic variants as data appeared to suggest? And related to the last question, why is wild-type KRas a more potent inhibitor of its oncogenic form than wild-type NRas of its oncogenic form? Resolving these cardinal questions, and others, such as how exactly does RASSF5 (NORE1A) act as tumor suppressor, and why Ras isoforms tend to occur in distinct cancer types are crucial for effective pharmacology. In this review, we take a nanoclustering/dimerization-centric outlook and show that many questions can be explained by simply considering Ras nanoclustering.

Protein Lipidation: Occurrence, Mechanisms, Biological Functions, and Enabling Technologies

Protein lipidation, including cysteine prenylation, N-terminal glycine myristoylation, cysteine palmitoylation, and serine and lysine fatty acylation, occurs in many proteins in eukaryotic cells and regulates numerous biological pathways, such as membrane trafficking, protein secretion, signal transduction, and apoptosis. We provide a comprehensive review of protein lipidation, including descriptions of proteins known to be modified and the functions of the modifications, the enzymes that control them, and the tools and technologies developed to study them. We also highlight key questions about protein lipidation that remain to be answered, the challenges associated with answering such questions, and possible solutions to overcome these challenges.

Intrinsic protein disorder in oncogenic KRAS signaling

How Ras, and in particular its most abundant oncogenic isoform K-Ras4B, is activated and signals in proliferating cells, poses some of the most challenging questions in cancer cell biology. In this paper, we ask how intrinsically disordered regions in K-Ras4B and its effectors help promote proliferative signaling. Conformational disorder allows spanning long distances, supports hinge motions, promotes anchoring in membranes, permits segments to fulfil multiple roles, and broadly is crucial for activation mechanisms and intensified oncogenic signaling. Here, we provide an overview illustrating some of the key mechanisms through which conformational disorder can promote oncogenesis, with K-Ras4B signaling serving as an example. We discuss (1) GTP-bound KRas4B activation through membrane attachment; (2) how farnesylation and palmitoylation can promote isoform functional specificity; (3) calmodulin binding and PI3K activation; (4) how Ras activates its RASSF5 cofactor, thereby stimulating signaling of the Hippo pathway and repressing proliferation; and (5) how intrinsically disordered segments in Raf help its attachment to the membrane and activation. Collectively, we provide the first inclusive review of the roles of intrinsic protein disorder in oncogenic Ras-driven signaling. We believe that a broad picture helps to grasp and formulate key mechanisms in Ras cancer biology and assists in therapeutic intervention.

Flexible-body motions of calmodulin and the farnesylated hypervariable region yield a high-affinity interaction enabling K-Ras4B membrane extraction

In calmodulin (CaM)-rich environments, oncogenic KRAS plays a critical role in adenocarcinomas by promoting PI3K/Akt signaling. We previously proposed that at elevated calcium levels in cancer, CaM recruits PI3Kα to the membrane and extracts K-Ras4B from the membrane, organizing a K-Ras4B-CaM-PI3Kα ternary complex. CaM can thereby replace a missing receptor-tyrosine kinase signal to fully activate PI3Kα. Recent experimental data show that CaM selectively promotes K-Ras signaling but not of N-Ras or H-Ras. How CaM specifically targets K-Ras and how it extracts it from the membrane in KRAS-driven cancer is unclear. Obtaining detailed structural information for a CaM-K-Ras complex is still challenging. Here, using molecular dynamics simulations and fluorescence experiments, we observed that CaM preferentially binds unfolded K-Ras4B hypervariable regions (HVRs) and not α-helical HVRs. The interaction involved all three CaM domains including the central linker and both lobes. CaM specifically targeted the highly polybasic anchor region of the K-Ras4B HVR that stably wraps around CaM's acidic linker. The docking of the farnesyl group to the hydrophobic pockets located at both CaM lobes further enhanced CaM-HVR complex stability. Both CaM and K-Ras4B HVR are highly flexible molecules, suggesting that their interactions permit highly dynamic flexible-body motions. We, therefore, anticipate that the flexible-body interaction is required to extract K-Ras4B from the membrane, as conformational plasticity enables CaM to orient efficiently to the polybasic HVR anchor, which is partially diffused into the liquid-phase membrane. Our structural model of the CaM-K-Ras4B HVR association provides plausible clues to CaM's regulatory action in PI3Kα activation involving the ternary complex in cell proliferation signaling by oncogenic K-Ras.

Influence of isoform-specific Ras lipidation motifs on protein partitioning and dynamics in model membrane systems of various complexity

The partitioning of the lipidated signaling proteins N-Ras and K-Ras4B into various membrane systems, ranging from single-component fluid bilayers, binary fluid mixtures, heterogeneous raft model membranes up to complex native-like lipid mixtures (GPMVs) in the absence and presence of integral membrane proteins have been explored in the last decade in a combined chemical-biological and biophysical approach. These studies have revealed pronounced isoform-specific differences regarding the lateral distribution in membranes and formation of protein-rich membrane domains. In this context, we will also discuss the effects of lipid head group structure and charge density on the partitioning behavior of the lipoproteins. Moreover, the dynamic properties of N-Ras and K-Ras4B have been studied in different model membrane systems and native-like crowded milieus. Addition of crowding agents such as Ficoll and its monomeric unit, sucrose, gradually favors clustering of Ras proteins in forming small oligomers in the bulk; only at very high crowder concentrations association is disfavored.

PDEδ Binding to Ras Isoforms Provides a Route to Proper Membrane Localization

To signal, Ras isoforms must be enriched at the plasma membrane (PM). It was suggested that phosphodiesterase-δ (PDEδ) can bind and shuttle some farnesylated Ras isoforms to the PM, but not all. Among these, interest focused on K-Ras4B, the most abundant oncogenic Ras isoform. To study PDEδ/Ras interactions, we modeled and simulated the PDEδ/K-Ras4B complex. We obtained structures, which were similar to two subsequently determined crystal structures. We next modeled and simulated complexes of PDEδ with the farnesylated hypervariable regions of K-Ras4A and N-Ras. Earlier data suggested that PDEδ extracts K-Ras4B and N-Ras from the PM, but surprisingly not K-Ras4A. Earlier analysis of the crystal structures advanced that the presence of large/charged residues adjacent to the farnesylated site precludes the PDEδ interaction. Here, we show that PDEδ can bind to farnesylated K-Ras4A and N-Ras like K-Ras4B, albeit not as strongly. This weaker binding, coupled with the stronger anchoring of K-Ras4A in the membrane (but not of electrostatically neutral N-Ras), can explain the observation why PDEδ is unable to effectively extract K-Ras4A. We thus propose that farnesylated Ras isoforms can bind PDEδ to fulfill the required PM enrichment, and argue that the different environments, PM versus solution, can resolve apparently puzzling Ras observations. These are novel insights that would not be expected based on the crystal structures alone, which provide an elegant rationale for previously puzzling observations of the differential effects of PDEδ on farnesylated Ras family proteins.

Interaction of KRas4b with anionic membranes: A special role for PIP2

KRas4b is a small G-protein whose constitutively active oncogenic mutants are present in 90% of pancreatic cancers. Using fully post-translationally modified KRAS4b, we investigated the role of lipid identity in the recruitment of KRas4b to a membrane surface of defined composition. Application of a newly developed single frequency fluorescence anisotropy decay experiment to this system revealed that KRas4b has a significant binding preference for Nanodisc bilayers containing PIP₂. We conducted molecular dynamics simulations to look for an origin of this specificity. In the case of membranes containing PIP₂ the protein formed long-lived salt bridges with PIP₂ head groups but not the monovalent DMPS, explaining the experimentally observed lipid specificity. Additionally, we report that PIP₂ forms key contacts with Helix-4 on the catalytic domain of KRas4b that orient the protein in a manner expected to facilitate association with upstream and downstream signaling partners.

Nanodiscs in Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics

Membrane proteins play a most important part in metabolism, signaling, cell motility, transport, development, and many other biochemical and biophysical processes which constitute fundamentals of life on the molecular level. Detailed understanding of these processes is necessary for the progress of life sciences and biomedical applications. Nanodiscs provide a new and powerful tool for a broad spectrum of biochemical and biophysical studies of membrane proteins and are commonly acknowledged as an optimal membrane mimetic system that provides control over size, composition, and specific functional modifications on the nanometer scale. In this review we attempted to combine a comprehensive list of various applications of nanodisc technology with systematic analysis of the most attractive features of this system and advantages provided by nanodiscs for structural and mechanistic studies of membrane proteins.

Calmodulin and PI3K Signaling in KRAS Cancers

Calmodulin (CaM) uniquely promotes signaling of oncogenic K-Ras; but not N-Ras or H-Ras. How CaM interacts with K-Ras and how this stimulates cell proliferation are among the most challenging questions in KRAS-driven cancers. Earlier data pointed to formation of a ternary complex consisting of K-Ras, PI3Kα and CaM. Recent data point to phosphorylated CaM binding to the SH2 domains of the p85 subunit of PI3Kα and activating it. Modeling suggests that the high affinity interaction between the phosphorylated CaM tyrosine motif and PI3Kα, can promote full PI3Kα activation by oncogenic K-Ras. Our up-to-date review discusses CaM's role in PI3K signaling at the membrane in KRAS-driven cancers. This is significant since it may help development of K-Ras-specific pharmacology.

The dynamic mechanism of RASSF5 and MST kinase activation by Ras

As a tumor suppressor, RASSF5 (NORE1A) activates MST1/2 thereby modulating the Hippo pathway. Structurally, activation involves RASSF5 and MST1/2 swapping their SARAH domains to form a SARAH heterodimer. This exposes the MST1/2 kinase domain which homodimerizes, leading to trans-autophosphorylation. The SARAH-SARAH interaction shifts RASSF5 away from its autoinhibited state and relieves MST1/2 autoinhibition. Separate crystal structures are available for the RA (Ras association) domain and SARAH dimer, where SARAH is a long straight α-helix. Using all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, we modeled the RASSF5 RA with a covalently connected SARAH to elucidate the dynamic mechanism of how SARAH mediates between autoinhibition and Ras triggered-activation. Our results show that in inactive RASSF5 the RA domain retains SARAH, yielding a self-associated conformation in which SARAH is in a kinked α-helical motif that increases the binding interface. When RASSF5 binds K-Ras4B-GTP, the equilibrium shifts toward SARAH's interacting with MST. Since the RA/SARAH affinity is relatively low, whereas that of the SARAH heterodimer is in the nM range, we suggest that RASSF5 exerts its tumor suppressor action through competition with other Ras effectors for Ras effector binding site, as well as coincidentally its recruitment to the membrane to help MST activation. Thus, SARAH plays a key role in RASSF5's tumor suppression action by linking the two major pathways in tumor cell proliferation: Ras and the MAPK (tumor cell proliferation-promoting) pathway, and the Hippo (tumor cell proliferation-suppressing) pathway.

The RAS-Effector Interface: Isoform-Specific Differences in the Effector Binding Regions

RAS effectors specifically interact with the GTP-bound form of RAS in response to extracellular signals and link them to downstream signaling pathways. The molecular nature of effector interaction by RAS is well-studied but yet still incompletely understood in a comprehensive and systematic way. Here, structure-function relationships in the interaction between different RAS proteins and various effectors were investigated in detail by combining our in vitro data with in silico data. Equilibrium dissociation constants were determined for the binding of HRAS, KRAS, NRAS, RRAS1 and RRAS2 to both the RAS binding (RB) domain of CRAF and PI3Kα, and the RAS association (RA) domain of RASSF5, RALGDS and PLCε, respectively, using fluorescence polarization. An interaction matrix, constructed on the basis of available crystal structures, allowed identification of hotspots as critical determinants for RAS-effector interaction. New insights provided by this study are the dissection of the identified hotspots in five distinct regions (R1 to R5) in spite of high sequence variability not only between, but also within, RB/RA domain-containing effectors proteins. Finally, we propose that intermolecular β-sheet interaction in R1 is a central recognition region while R3 may determine specific contacts of RAS versus RRAS isoforms with effectors.

AMPK and Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Signaling Regulates K-Ras Plasma Membrane Interactions via Cyclic GMP-Dependent Protein Kinase 2

K-Ras must localize to the plasma membrane and be arrayed in nanoclusters for biological activity. We show here that K-Ras is a substrate for cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinases (PKGs). In intact cells, activated PKG2 selectively colocalizes with K-Ras on the plasma membrane and phosphorylates K-Ras at Ser181 in the C-terminal polybasic domain. K-Ras phosphorylation by PKG2 is triggered by activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and requires endothelial nitric oxide synthase and soluble guanylyl cyclase. Phosphorylated K-Ras reorganizes into distinct nanoclusters that retune the signal output. Phosphorylation acutely enhances K-Ras plasma membrane affinity, but phosphorylated K-Ras is progressively lost from the plasma membrane via endocytic recycling. Concordantly, chronic pharmacological activation of AMPK → PKG2 signaling with mitochondrial inhibitors, nitric oxide, or sildenafil inhibits proliferation of K-Ras-positive non-small cell lung cancer cells. The study shows that K-Ras is a target of a metabolic stress-signaling pathway that can be leveraged to inhibit oncogenic K-Ras function.

Intrinsic K-Ras dynamics: A novel molecular dynamics data analysis method shows causality between residue pair motions

K-Ras is the most frequently mutated oncogene in human cancers, but there are still no drugs that directly target it in the clinic. Recent studies utilizing dynamics information show promising results for selectively targeting mutant K-Ras. However, despite extensive characterization, the mechanisms by which K-Ras residue fluctuations transfer allosteric regulatory information remain unknown. Understanding the direction of information flow can provide new mechanistic insights for K-Ras targeting. Here, we present a novel approach –conditional time-delayed correlations (CTC) – using the motions of all residue pairs of a protein to predict directionality in the allosteric regulation of the protein fluctuations. Analyzing nucleotide-dependent intrinsic K-Ras motions with the new approach yields predictions that agree with the literature, showing that GTP-binding stabilizes K-Ras motions and leads to residue correlations with relatively long characteristic decay times. Furthermore, our study is the first to identify driver-follower relationships in correlated motions of K-Ras residue pairs, revealing the direction of information flow during allosteric modulation of its nucleotide-dependent intrinsic activity: active K-Ras Switch-II region motions drive Switch-I region motions, while α-helix-3L7 motions control both. Our results provide novel insights for strategies that directly target mutant K-Ras.

Ras Dimer Formation as a New Signaling Mechanism and Potential Cancer Therapeutic Target

The K-, N-, and HRas small GTPases are key regulators of cell physiology and are frequently mutated in human cancers. Despite intensive research, previous efforts to target hyperactive Ras based on known mechanisms of Ras signaling have been met with little success. Several studies have provided compelling evidence for the existence and biological relevance of Ras dimers, establishing a new mechanism for regulating Ras activity in cells additionally to GTP-loading and membrane localization. Existing data also start to reveal how Ras proteins dimerize on the membrane. We propose a dimer model to describe Ras-mediated effector activation, which contrasts existing models of Ras signaling as a monomer or as a 5-8 membered multimer. We also discuss potential implications of this model in both basic and translational Ras biology.

Drugging Ras GTPase: a comprehensive mechanistic and signaling structural view

Ras proteins are small GTPases, cycling between inactive GDP-bound and active GTP-bound states. Through these switches they regulate signaling that controls cell growth and proliferation. Activating Ras mutations are associated with approximately 30% of human cancers, which are frequently resistant to standard therapies. Over the past few years, structural biology and in silico drug design, coupled with improved screening technology, led to a handful of promising inhibitors, raising the possibility of drugging Ras proteins. At the same time, the invariable emergence of drug resistance argues for the critical importance of additionally honing in on signaling pathways which are likely to be involved. Here we overview current advances in Ras structural knowledge, including the conformational dynamic of full-length Ras in solution and at the membrane, therapeutic inhibition of Ras activity by targeting its active site, allosteric sites, and Ras-effector protein-protein interfaces, Ras dimers, the K-Ras4B/calmodulin/PI3Kα trimer, and targeting Ras with siRNA. To mitigate drug resistance, we propose signaling pathways that can be co-targeted along with Ras and explain why. These include pathways leading to the expression (or activation) of YAP1 and c-Myc. We postulate that these and Ras signaling pathways, MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt/mTOR, act independently and in corresponding ways in cell cycle control. The structural data are instrumental in the discovery and development of Ras inhibitors for treating RAS-driven cancers. Together with the signaling blueprints through which drug resistance can evolve, this review provides a comprehensive and innovative master plan for tackling mutant Ras proteins.

Membrane-associated Ras dimers are isoform-specific: K-Ras dimers differ from H-Ras dimers

Are the dimer structures of active Ras isoforms similar? This question is significant since Ras can activate its effectors as a monomer; however, as a dimer, it promotes Raf's activation and MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) cell signalling. In the present study, we model possible catalytic domain dimer interfaces of membrane-anchored GTP-bound K-Ras4B and H-Ras, and compare their conformations. The active helical dimers formed by the allosteric lobe are isoform-specific: K-Ras4B-GTP favours the α3 and α4 interface; H-Ras-GTP favours α4 and α5. Both isoforms also populate a stable β-sheet dimer interface formed by the effector lobe; a less stable β-sandwich interface is sustained by salt bridges of the β-sheet side chains. Raf's high-affinity β-sheet interaction is promoted by the active helical interface. Collectively, Ras isoforms' dimer conformations are not uniform; instead, the isoform-specific dimers reflect the favoured interactions of the HVRs (hypervariable regions) with cell membrane microdomains, biasing the effector-binding site orientations, thus isoform binding selectivity.

Contextual signaling in cancer

The formation and maintenance of an organism are highly dependent on the orderly control of cell growth, differentiation, death, and migration. These processes are tightly regulated by signaling cascades in which a limited number of molecules dictate these cellular events. While these signaling pathways are highly conserved across species and cell types, the functional outcomes that result from their engagement are specified by the context in which they are activated. Using the Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) cancer predisposition syndrome as an illustrative platform, we discuss how NF1/RAS signaling can create functional diversity at multiple levels (molecular, cellular, tissue, and genetic/genomic). As such, the ability of related molecules (e.g., K-RAS, H-RAS) to activate distinct effectors, as well as cell type- and tissue-specific differences in molecular composition and effector engagement, generate numerous unique functional effects. These variations, coupled with a multitude of extracellular cues and genomic/genetic changes that each modify the innate signaling properties of the cell, enable precise control of cellular physiology in both health and disease. Understanding these contextual influences is important when trying to dissect the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of cancer relevant to molecularly-targeted therapeutics.

APOBEC4 Enhances the Replication of HIV-1

APOBEC4 (A4) is a member of the AID/APOBEC family of cytidine deaminases. In this study we found a high mRNA expression of A4 in human testis. In contrast, there were only low levels of A4 mRNA detectable in 293T, HeLa, Jurkat or A3.01 cells. Ectopic expression of A4 in HeLa cells resulted in mostly cytoplasmic localization of the protein. To test whether A4 has antiviral activity similar to that of proteins of the APOBEC3 (A3) subfamily, A4 was co-expressed in 293T cells with wild type HIV-1 and HIV-1 luciferase reporter viruses. We found that A4 did not inhibit the replication of HIV-1 but instead enhanced the production of HIV-1 in a dose-dependent manner and seemed to act on the viral LTR. A4 did not show detectable cytidine deamination activity in vitro and weakly interacted with single-stranded DNA. The presence of A4 in virus producer cells enhanced HIV-1 replication by transiently transfected A4 or stably expressed A4 in HIV-susceptible cells. APOBEC4 was capable of similarly enhancing transcription from a broad spectrum of promoters, regardless of whether they were viral or mammalian. We hypothesize that A4 may have a natural role in modulating host promoters or endogenous LTR promoters.

Oncogenic KRAS signaling and YAP1/β-catenin: Similar cell cycle control in tumor initiation

Why are YAP1 and c-Myc often overexpressed (or activated) in KRAS-driven cancers and drug resistance? Here, we propose that there are two independent pathways in tumor proliferation: one includes MAPK/ERK and PI3K/A kt/mTOR; and the other consists of pathways leading to the expression (or activation) of YAP1 and c-Myc. KRAS contributes through the first. MYC is regulated by e.g. β-catenin, Notch and Hedgehog. We propose that YAP1 and ERK accomplish similar roles in cell cycle control, as do β-catenin and PI3K. This point is compelling, since the question of how YAP1 rescues K-Ras or B-Raf ablation has recently captured much attention, as well as the mechanism of resistance to PI3K inhibitors. The similarity in cell cycle actions of β-catenin and PI3K can also clarify the increased aggressiveness of lung cancer when both K-Ras and β-catenin operate. Thus, we propose that the two pathways can substitute one another - or together amplify each other - in promoting proliferation. This new understanding of the independence and correspondence of the two pathways in cancer - MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt/mTOR; and YAP1 and c-Myc - provide a coherent and significant picture of signaling-driven oncogenic proliferation and may help in judicious, pathway-based drug discovery.

The higher level of complexity of K-Ras4B activation at the membrane

Is nucleotide exchange sufficient to activate K-Ras4B? To signal, oncogenic rat sarcoma (Ras) anchors in the membrane and recruits effectors by exposing its effector lobe. With the use of NMR and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we observed that in solution, farnesylated guanosine 5'-diphosphate (GDP)-bound K-Ras4B is predominantly autoinhibited by its hypervariable region (HVR), whereas the GTP-bound state favors an activated, HVR-released state. On the anionic membrane, the catalytic domain adopts multiple orientations, including parallel (∼180°) and perpendicular (∼90°) alignments of the allosteric helices, with respect to the membrane surface direction. In the autoinhibited state, the HVR is sandwiched between the effector lobe and the membrane; in the active state, with membrane-anchored farnesyl and unrestrained HVR, the catalytic domain fluctuates reinlessly, exposing its effector-binding site. Dimerization and clustering can reduce the fluctuations. This achieves preorganized, productive conformations. Notably, we also observe HVR-autoinhibited K-Ras4B-GTP states, with GDP-bound-like orientations of the helices. Thus, we propose that the GDP/GTP exchange may not be sufficient for activation; instead, our results suggest that the GDP/GTP exchange, HVR sequestration, farnesyl insertion, and orientation/localization of the catalytic domain at the membrane conjointly determine the active or inactive state of K-Ras4B. Importantly, K-Ras4B-GTP can exist in active and inactive states; on its own, GTP binding may not compel K-Ras4B activation.-Jang, H., Banerjee, A., Chavan, T. S, Lu, S., Zhang, J., Gaponenko, V., Nussinov, R. The higher level of complexity of K-Ras4B activation at the membrane.

RAS isoforms and mutations in cancer at a glance

RAS proteins (KRAS4A, KRAS4B, NRAS and HRAS) function as GDP-GTP-regulated binary on-off switches, which regulate cytoplasmic signaling networks that control diverse normal cellular processes. Gain-of-function missense mutations in RAS genes are found in ∼25% of human cancers, prompting interest in identifying anti-RAS therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment. However, despite more than three decades of intense effort, no anti-RAS therapies have reached clinical application. Contributing to this failure has been an underestimation of the complexities of RAS. First, there is now appreciation that the four human RAS proteins are not functionally identical. Second, with >130 different missense mutations found in cancer, there is an emerging view that there are mutation-specific consequences on RAS structure, biochemistry and biology, and mutation-selective therapeutic strategies are needed. In this Cell Science at a Glance article and accompanying poster, we provide a snapshot of the differences between RAS isoforms and mutations, as well as the current status of anti-RAS drug-discovery efforts.

The Structural Basis of Oncogenic Mutations G12, G13 and Q61 in Small GTPase K-Ras4B

Ras mediates cell proliferation, survival and differentiation. Mutations in K-Ras4B are predominant at residues G12, G13 and Q61. Even though all impair GAP-assisted GTP → GDP hydrolysis, the mutation frequencies of K-Ras4B in human cancers vary. Here we aim to figure out their mechanisms and differential oncogenicity. In total, we performed 6.4 μs molecular dynamics simulations on the wild-type K-Ras4B (K-Ras4B(WT)-GTP/GDP) catalytic domain, the K-Ras4B(WT)-GTP-GAP complex, and the mutants (K-Ras4B(G12C/G12D/G12V)-GTP/GDP, K-Ras4B(G13D)-GTP/GDP, K-Ras4B(Q61H)-GTP/GDP) and their complexes with GAP. In addition, we simulated 'exchanged' nucleotide states. These comprehensive simulations reveal that in solution K-Ras4B(WT)-GTP exists in two, active and inactive, conformations. Oncogenic mutations differentially elicit an inactive-to-active conformational transition in K-Ras4B-GTP; in K-Ras4B(G12C/G12D)-GDP they expose the bound nucleotide which facilitates the GDP-to-GTP exchange. These mechanisms may help elucidate the differential mutational statistics in K-Ras4B-driven cancers. Exchanged nucleotide simulations reveal that the conformational transition is more accessible in the GTP-to-GDP than in the GDP-to-GTP exchange. Importantly, GAP not only donates its R789 arginine finger, but stabilizes the catalytically-competent conformation and pre-organizes catalytic residue Q61; mutations disturb the R789/Q61 organization, impairing GAP-mediated GTP hydrolysis. Together, our simulations help provide a mechanistic explanation of key mutational events in one of the most oncogenic proteins in cancer.

Comparison of the Conformations of KRAS Isoforms, K-Ras4A and K-Ras4B, Points to Similarities and Significant Differences

Human HRAS, KRAS, and NRAS genes encode four isoforms of Ras, a p21 GTPase. Mutations in KRAS account for the majority of RAS-driven cancers. The KRAS has two splice variants, K-Ras4A and K-Ras4B. Due to their reversible palmitoylation, K-Ras4A and N-Ras have bimodal signaling states. K-Ras4A and K-Ras4B differ in four catalytic domain residues (G151R/D153E/K165Q/H166Y) and in their disordered C-terminal hypervariable region (HVR). In K-Ras4A, the HVR is not as strongly positively charged as in K-Ras4B (+6e vs +9e). Here, we performed all-atom molecular dynamics simulations to elucidate isoform-specific differences between the two splice variants. We observe that the catalytic domain of GDP-bound K-Ras4A has a more exposed nucleotide binding pocket than K-Ras4B, and the dynamic fluctuations in switch I and II regions also differ; both factors may influence guanine-nucleotide exchange. We further observe that like K-Kas4B, full-length K-Ras4A exhibits nucleotide-dependent HVR fluctuations; however, these fluctuations differ between the GDP-bound forms of K-Ras4A and K-Ras4B. Unlike K-Ras4B where the HVR tends to cover the effector binding region, in K-Ras4A, autoinhibited states are unstable. With lesser charge, the K-Ras4A HVR collapses on itself, making it less available for binding the catalytic domain. Since the HVRs of N- and H-Ras are weakly charged (+1e and +2e, respectively), autoinhibition may be a unique feature of K-Ras4B.

The disordered hypervariable region and the folded catalytic domain of oncogenic K-Ras4B partner in phospholipid binding

The C-terminal hypervariable region (HVR) of the splice variant KRAS4B is disordered. Classically, the role of the post-translationally-modified HVR is to navigate Ras in the cell and to anchor it in localized plasma membrane regions. Here, we propose additional regulatory roles, including auto-inhibition by shielding the effector binding site in the GDP-bound state and release upon GTP binding and in the presence of certain oncogenic mutations. The released HVR can interact with calmodulin. We show that oncogenic mutations (G12V/G12D) modulate the HVR-phospholipid binding specificity, resulting in preferential interactions with phosphatidic acid. The shifts in the conformational preferences and binding specificity in the disordered state exemplify the critical role of the unstructured tail of K-Ras4B in cancer.

Ras Conformational Ensembles, Allostery, and Signaling

Ras proteins are classical members of small GTPases that function as molecular switches by alternating between inactive GDP-bound and active GTP-bound states. Ras activation is regulated by guanine nucleotide exchange factors that catalyze the exchange of GDP by GTP, and inactivation is terminated by GTPase-activating proteins that accelerate the intrinsic GTP hydrolysis rate by orders of magnitude. In this review, we focus on data that have accumulated over the past few years pertaining to the conformational ensembles and the allosteric regulation of Ras proteins and their interpretation from our conformational landscape standpoint. The Ras ensemble embodies all states, including the ligand-bound conformations, the activated (or inactivated) allosteric modulated states, post-translationally modified states, mutational states, transition states, and nonfunctional states serving as a reservoir for emerging functions. The ensemble is shifted by distinct mutational events, cofactors, post-translational modifications, and different membrane compositions. A better understanding of Ras biology can contribute to therapeutic strategies.

A New View of Ras Isoforms in Cancers

Does small GTPase K-Ras4A have a single state or two states, one resembling K-Ras4B and the other N-Ras? A recent study of K-Ras4A made the remarkable observation that even in the absence of the palmitoyl, K-Ras4A can be active at the plasma membrane. Importantly, this suggests that K-Ras4A may exist in two distinct signaling states. In state 1, K-Ras4A is only farnesylated, like K-Ras4B; in state 2, farnesylated and palmitoylated, like N-Ras. The K-Ras4A hypervariable region sequence is positively charged, in between K-Ras4B and N-Ras. Taken together, this raises the possibility that the farnesylated but nonpalmitoylated state 1, like K-Ras4B, binds calmodulin and is associated with colorectal and other adenocarcinomas like lung cancer and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. On the other hand, state 2 may be associated with melanoma and other cancers where N-Ras is a major contributor, such as acute myeloid leukemia. Importantly, H-Ras has two, singly and doubly, palmitoylated states that may also serve distinct functional roles. The multiple signaling states of palmitoylated Ras isoforms question the completeness of small GTPase Ras isoform statistics in different cancer types and call for reevaluation of concepts and protocols. They may also call for reconsideration of oncogenic Ras therapeutics.

Roles of palmitoylation and the KIKK membrane-targeting motif in leukemogenesis by oncogenic KRAS4A

Background

We have previously shown that palmitoylation is essential for NRAS leukemogenesis, suggesting that targeting RAS palmitoylation may be an effective therapy for NRAS-related cancers. For KRAS-driven cancer, although much research has been focused on the KRAS4B splice variant, which does not undergo palmitoylation, KRAS4A has recently been shown to play an essential role in the development of carcinogen-induced lung cancer in mice and to be widely expressed in human cancers. However, the role of palmitoylation in KRAS4A tumorigenesis is not clear.

Methods

The expression of KRAS4A in KRAS-mutated leukemia cell lines and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells were checked using western blotting and reverse transcriptions-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis, respectively. The leukemogenic potentials of oncogenic KRAS4A and its palmitoylation-defective mutants were examined by a mouse bone marrow transduction and transplantation model and the in vitro transformation assays. The activation of the RAS downstream signaling pathways and the membrane localizations of the KRAS4A and its mutants were analyzed via western blot analysis and confocal microscopy, respectively.

Results

We show here that KRAS4A is expressed in human leukemia cell lines and in AML cells harboring KRAS mutations and that mutation at the palmitoylation site of oncogenic KRAS4A significantly abrogates its leukemogenic potential. However, unlike NRAS, palmitoylation-defective KRAS4A still induces leukemia in mice, albeit with a much longer latency. Using NRAS/KRAS4A chimeric constructs, we found that the KIKK motif of KRAS4A contributes to the transforming activity of KRAS4A. Mutations at both palmitoylation site and the KIKK motif abolish the ability of oncogenic KRAS4A to induce leukemia in mice.

Conclusions

Our studies suggest that therapies targeting RAS palmitoylation may also be effective in treating KRAS4A associated malignancies and that interfering the KIKK membrane-targeting motif would enhance the therapeutic effectiveness.

High-Affinity Interaction of the K-Ras4B Hypervariable Region with the Ras Active Site

Ras proteins are small GTPases that act as signal transducers between cell surface receptors and several intracellular signaling cascades. They contain highly homologous catalytic domains and flexible C-terminal hypervariable regions (HVRs) that differ across Ras isoforms. KRAS is among the most frequently mutated oncogenes in human tumors. Surprisingly, we found that the C-terminal HVR of K-Ras4B, thought to minimally impact the catalytic domain, directly interacts with the active site of the protein. The interaction is almost 100-fold tighter with the GDP-bound than the GTP-bound protein. HVR binding interferes with Ras-Raf interaction, modulates binding to phospholipids, and slightly slows down nucleotide exchange. The data indicate that contrary to previously suggested models of K-Ras4B signaling, HVR plays essential roles in regulation of signaling. High affinity binding of short peptide analogs of HVR to K-Ras active site suggests that targeting this surface with inhibitory synthetic molecules for the therapy of KRAS-dependent tumors is feasible.

Inhibitors of Ras-SOS Interactions

Activating Ras mutations are found in about 30 % of human cancers. Ras activation is regulated by guanine nucleotide exchange factors, such as the son of sevenless (SOS), which form protein-protein interactions (PPIs) with Ras and catalyze the exchange of GDP by GTP. This is the rate-limiting step in Ras activation. However, Ras surfaces lack any evident suitable pockets where a molecule might bind tightly, rendering Ras proteins still 'undruggable' for over 30 years. Among the alternative approaches is the design of inhibitors that target the Ras-SOS PPI interface, a strategy that is gaining increasing recognition for treating Ras mutant cancers. Herein we focus on data that has accumulated over the past few years pertaining to the design of small-molecule modulators or peptide mimetics aimed at the interface of the Ras-SOS PPI. We emphasize, however, that even if such Ras-SOS therapeutics are potent, drug resistance may emerge. To counteract this development, we propose "pathway drug cocktails", that is, drug combinations aimed at parallel (or compensatory) pathways. A repertoire of classified cancer, cell/tissue, and pathway/protein combinations would be beneficial toward this goal.

GTP Binding and Oncogenic Mutations May Attenuate Hypervariable Region (HVR)-Catalytic Domain Interactions in Small GTPase K-Ras4B, Exposing the Effector Binding Site

K-Ras4B, a frequently mutated oncogene in cancer, plays an essential role in cell growth, differentiation, and survival. Its C-terminal membrane-associated hypervariable region (HVR) is required for full biological activity. In the active GTP-bound state, the HVR interacts with acidic plasma membrane (PM) headgroups, whereas the farnesyl anchors in the membrane; in the inactive GDP-bound state, the HVR may interact with both the PM and the catalytic domain at the effector binding region, obstructing signaling and nucleotide exchange. Here, using molecular dynamics simulations and NMR, we aim to figure out the effects of nucleotides (GTP and GDP) and frequent (G12C, G12D, G12V, G13D, and Q61H) and infrequent (E37K and R164Q) oncogenic mutations on full-length K-Ras4B. The mutations are away from or directly at the HVR switch I/effector binding site. Our results suggest that full-length wild-type GDP-bound K-Ras4B (K-Ras4B(WT)-GDP) is in an intrinsically autoinhibited state via tight HVR-catalytic domain interactions. The looser association in K-Ras4B(WT)-GTP may release the HVR. Some of the oncogenic mutations weaken the HVR-catalytic domain association in the K-Ras4B-GDP/-GTP bound states, which may facilitate the HVR disassociation in a nucleotide-independent manner, thereby up-regulating oncogenic Ras signaling. Thus, our results suggest that mutations can exert their effects in more than one way, abolishing GTP hydrolysis and facilitating effector binding.

Farnesylated and methylated KRAS4b: high yield production of protein suitable for biophysical studies of prenylated protein-lipid interactions

Prenylated proteins play key roles in several human diseases including cancer, atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. KRAS4b, which is frequently mutated in pancreatic, colon and lung cancers, is processed by farnesylation, proteolytic cleavage and carboxymethylation at the C-terminus. Plasma membrane localization of KRAS4b requires this processing as does KRAS4b-dependent RAF kinase activation. Previous attempts to produce modified KRAS have relied on protein engineering approaches or in vitro farnesylation of bacterially expressed KRAS protein. The proteins produced by these methods do not accurately replicate the mature KRAS protein found in mammalian cells and the protein yield is typically low. We describe a protocol that yields 5-10 mg/L highly purified, farnesylated, and methylated KRAS4b from insect cells. Farnesylated and methylated KRAS4b is fully active in hydrolyzing GTP, binds RAF-RBD on lipid Nanodiscs and interacts with the known farnesyl-binding protein PDEδ.

Plasma membrane regulates Ras signaling networks

Ras GTPases activate more than 20 signaling pathways, regulating such essential cellular functions as proliferation, survival, and migration. How Ras proteins control their signaling diversity is still a mystery. Several pieces of evidence suggest that the plasma membrane plays a critical role. Among these are: (1) selective recruitment of Ras and its effectors to particular localities allowing access to Ras regulators and effectors; (2) specific membrane-induced conformational changes promoting Ras functional diversity; and (3) oligomerization of membrane-anchored Ras to recruit and activate Raf. Taken together, the membrane does not only attract and retain Ras but also is a key regulator of Ras signaling. This can already be gleaned from the large variability in the sequences of Ras membrane targeting domains, suggesting that localization, environment and orientation are important factors in optimizing the function of Ras isoforms.

The Key Role of Calmodulin in KRAS-Driven Adenocarcinomas

KRAS4B is a highly oncogenic splice variant of the KRAS isoform. It is the only isoform associated with initiation of adenocarcinomas. Insight into why and how KRAS4B can mediate ductal adenocarcinomas, particularly of the pancreas, is vastly important for its therapeutics. Here we point out the overlooked critical role of calmodulin (CaM). Calmodulin selectively binds to GTP-bound K-Ras4B; but not to other Ras isoforms. Cell proliferation and growth require the MAPK (Raf/MEK/ERK) and PI3K/Akt pathways. We propose that Ca(2+)/calmodulin promote PI3Kα/Akt signaling, and suggest how. The elevated calcium levels clinically observed in adenocarcinomas may explain calmodulin's involvement in recruiting and stimulating PI3Kα through interaction with its n/cSH2 domains as well as K-Ras4B; importantly, it also explains why K-Ras4B specifically is a key player in ductal carcinomas, such as pancreatic (PDAC), colorectal (CRC), and lung cancers. We hypothesize that calmodulin recruits and helps activate PI3Kα at the membrane, and that this is the likely reason for Ca(2+)/calmodulin dependence in adenocarcinomas. Calmodulin can contribute to initiation/progression of ductal cancers via both PI3Kα/Akt and Raf/MEK/ERK pathways. Blocking the K-Ras4B/MAPK pathway and calmodulin/PI3Kα binding in a K-Ras4B/calmodulin/PI3Kα trimer could be a promising adenocarcinoma-specific therapeutic strategy.

GTP-Dependent K-Ras Dimerization

Ras proteins recruit and activate effectors, including Raf, that transmit receptor-initiated signals. Monomeric Ras can bind Raf; however, activation of Raf requires its dimerization. It has been suspected that dimeric Ras may promote dimerization and activation of Raf. Here, we show that the GTP-bound catalytic domain of K-Ras4B, a highly oncogenic splice variant of the K-Ras isoform, forms stable homodimers. We observe two major dimer interfaces. The first, highly populated β-sheet dimer interface is at the Switch I and effector binding regions, overlapping the binding surfaces of Raf, PI3K, RalGDS, and additional effectors. This interface has to be inhibitory to such effectors. The second, helical interface also overlaps the binding sites of some effectors. This interface may promote activation of Raf. Our data reveal how Ras self-association can regulate effector binding and activity, and suggest that disruption of the helical dimer interface by drugs may abate Raf signaling in cancer.