1
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Wang K, Zhou Z, Ma X, Xu J, Xu W, Zhou G, Zhou C, Li H, Zheng M, Zhang S, Xu T. Design, synthesis, and bioevaluation of SOS1 PROTACs derived from pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-7-one-based SOS1 inhibitor. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2024; 107:129780. [PMID: 38714262 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2024.129780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
Oncogenic KRAS mutations drive an approximately 25 % of all human cancers. Son of Sevenless 1 (SOS1), a critical guanine nucleotide exchange factor, catalyzes the activation of KRAS. Targeting SOS1 degradation has engaged as a promising therapeutic strategy for KRAS-mutant cancers. Herein, we designed and synthesized a series of novel CRBN-recruiting SOS1 PROTACs using the pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-7-one-based SOS1 inhibitor as the warhead. One representative compound 11o effectively induced the degradation of SOS1 in three different KRAS-mutant cancer cell lines with DC50 values ranging from 1.85 to 7.53 nM. Mechanism studies demonstrated that 11o-induced SOS1 degradation was dependent on CRBN and proteasome. Moreover, 11o inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK and displayed potent anti-proliferative activities against SW620, A549 and DLD-1 cells. Further optimization of 11o may provide us promising SOS1 degraders with favorable drug-like properties for developing new chemotherapies targeting KRAS-driven cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Wang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zehui Zhou
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xinyi Ma
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jiahang Xu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China; School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Wangyang Xu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Guizhen Zhou
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Chuan Zhou
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Huajie Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Mingyue Zheng
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China; School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Sulin Zhang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Tianfeng Xu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China.
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2
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Lehman SS, Williamson CD, Tucholski T, Ellis NA, Bouchard S, Jarnik M, Allen M, Nita-Lazar A, Machner MP. The Legionella pneumophila effector DenR hijacks the host NRas proto-oncoprotein to downregulate MAPK signaling. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114033. [PMID: 38568811 PMCID: PMC11141579 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Small GTPases of the Ras subfamily are best known for their role as proto-oncoproteins, while their function during microbial infection has remained elusive. Here, we show that Legionella pneumophila hijacks the small GTPase NRas to the Legionella-containing vacuole (LCV) surface. A CRISPR interference screen identifies a single L. pneumophila effector, DenR (Lpg1909), required for this process. Recruitment is specific for NRas, while its homologs KRas and HRas are excluded from LCVs. The C-terminal hypervariable tail of NRas is sufficient for recruitment, and interference with either NRas farnesylation or S-acylation sites abrogates recruitment. Intriguingly, we detect markers of active NRas signaling on the LCV, suggesting it acts as a signaling platform. Subsequent phosphoproteomics analyses show that DenR rewires the host NRas signaling landscape, including dampening of the canonical mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. These results provide evidence for L. pneumophila targeting NRas and suggest a link between NRas GTPase signaling and microbial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie S Lehman
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Chad D Williamson
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Trisha Tucholski
- Functional Cellular Networks Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Nicole A Ellis
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Sabrina Bouchard
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Michal Jarnik
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Morgan Allen
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Aleksandra Nita-Lazar
- Functional Cellular Networks Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Matthias P Machner
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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3
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Weeks R, Mehta S, Zhang J. Genetically encodable biosensors for Ras activity. RSC Chem Biol 2024; 5:312-320. [PMID: 38576721 PMCID: PMC10989514 DOI: 10.1039/d3cb00185g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Genetically encoded Ras biosensors have been instrumental in illuminating the spatiotemporal dynamics of Ras activity since the beginning of the imaging revolution of the early 21st century. In general, these sensors employ Ras sensing units coupled with fluorescent proteins. These biosensors have not only helped elucidate Ras signalling dynamics at the plasma membrane but also revealed novel roles for Ras signalling within subcellular compartments such as the Golgi apparatus. In this review, we discuss the different classes of biosensors used to measure Ras activity and discuss their importance in uncovering new roles for Ras activity in cellular signalling and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Weeks
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego La Jolla CA 92093 USA +1 (858) 246-0602
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego La Jolla CA 92093 USA
| | - Sohum Mehta
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego La Jolla CA 92093 USA
| | - Jin Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego La Jolla CA 92093 USA +1 (858) 246-0602
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego La Jolla CA 92093 USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego La Jolla CA 92093 USA
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4
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Gu X, Zhang Y, Long D. Conserved allosteric perturbation of the GTPase domains by region 1 of Ras hypervariable regions. Biophys J 2024; 123:839-846. [PMID: 38419331 PMCID: PMC10995424 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Ras proteins are important intracellular signaling hubs that can interact with numerous downstream effectors and upstream regulators through their GTPase domains (G-domains) anchored to plasma membranes by the C-terminal hypervariable regions (HVRs). The biological functions of Ras were proposed to be regulated at multiple levels including the intramolecular G-domain-HVR interactions, of which the exact mechanism and specificity are still controversial. Here, we demonstrate that the HVRs, instead of having direct contacts, can weakly perturb the G-domains via an allosteric interaction that is restricted to a ∼20 Å range and highly conserved in the tested Ras isoforms (HRas and KRas4B) and nucleotide-bound states. The origin of this allosteric perturbation has been localized to a short segment (residues 167-171) coinciding with region 1 of HVRs, which exhibits moderate to weak α-helical propensities. A charge-reversal mutation (E168K) of KRas4B in region 1, previously described in the Catalog of Somatic Mutations in Cancer database, was found to induce similar chemical shift perturbations as truncation of the HVR does. Further membrane paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (mPRE) data show that this region 1 mutation alters the membrane orientations of KRas4B and moderately increases the relative population of the signaling-compatible state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Gu
- MOE Key Laboratory for Cellular Dynamics, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yalong Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Cellular Dynamics, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Dong Long
- MOE Key Laboratory for Cellular Dynamics, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China; Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.
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5
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Schmidt HN, Gaetjens TK, Leopin EE, Abel SM. Compartmental exchange regulates steady states and stochastic switching of a phosphorylation network. Biophys J 2024; 123:598-609. [PMID: 38317416 PMCID: PMC10938077 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.01.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The phosphoregulation of proteins with multiple phosphorylation sites is governed by biochemical reaction networks that can exhibit multistable behavior. However, the behavior of such networks is typically studied in a single reaction volume, while cells are spatially organized into compartments that can exchange proteins. In this work, we use stochastic simulations to study the impact of compartmentalization on a two-site phosphorylation network. We characterize steady states and fluctuation-driven transitions between them as a function of the rate of protein exchange between two compartments. Surprisingly, the average time spent in a state before stochastically switching to another depends nonmonotonically on the protein exchange rate, with the most frequent switching occurring at intermediate exchange rates. At sufficiently small exchange rates, the state of the system and mean switching time are controlled largely by fluctuations in the balance of enzymes in each compartment. This leads to negatively correlated states in the compartments. For large exchange rates, the two compartments behave as a single effective compartment. However, when the compartmental volumes are unequal, the behavior differs from a single compartment with the same total volume. These results demonstrate that exchange of proteins between distinct compartments can regulate the emergent behavior of a common signaling motif.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah N Schmidt
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee
| | - Thomas K Gaetjens
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee
| | - Emily E Leopin
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee
| | - Steven M Abel
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee.
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6
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Kundu S, Jaiswal M, Babu Mullapudi V, Guo J, Kamat M, Basso KB, Guo Z. Investigation of Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-Plasma Membrane Interaction in Live Cells and the Influence of GPI Glycan Structure on the Interaction. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202303047. [PMID: 37966101 PMCID: PMC10922586 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202303047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Glycosylphosphatidylinositols (GPIs) need to interact with other components in the cell membrane to transduce transmembrane signals. A bifunctional GPI probe was employed for photoaffinity-based proximity labelling and identification of GPI-interacting proteins in the cell membrane. This probe contained the entire core structure of GPIs and was functionalized with photoreactive diazirine and clickable alkyne to facilitate its crosslinking with proteins and attachment of an affinity tag. It was disclosed that this probe was more selective than our previously reported probe containing only a part structure of the GPI core for cell membrane incorporation and an improved probe for studying GPI-cell membrane interaction. Eighty-eight unique membrane proteins, many of which are related to GPIs/GPI-anchored proteins, were identified utilizing this probe. The proteomics dataset is a valuable resource for further analyses and data mining to find new GPI-related proteins and signalling pathways. A comparison of these results with those of our previous probe provided direct evidence for the profound impact of GPI glycan structure on its interaction with the cell membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayan Kundu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Mohit Jaiswal
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | | | - Jiatong Guo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Manasi Kamat
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Kari B Basso
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Zhongwu Guo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
- UF Health Cancer Centre, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
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7
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Liu C, Jiao B, Wang P, Zhang B, Gao J, Li D, Xie X, Yao Y, Yan L, Qin Z, Liu P, Ren R. GOLGA7 is essential for NRAS trafficking from the Golgi to the plasma membrane but not for its palmitoylation. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:98. [PMID: 38317235 PMCID: PMC10845536 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01498-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
NRAS mutations are most frequently observed in hematological malignancies and are also common in some solid tumors such as melanoma and colon cancer. Despite its pivotal role in oncogenesis, no effective therapies targeting NRAS has been developed. Targeting NRAS localization to the plasma membrane (PM) is a promising strategy for cancer therapy, as its signaling requires PM localization. However, the process governing NRAS translocation from the Golgi apparatus to the PM after lipid modification remains elusive. This study identifies GOLGA7 as a crucial factor controlling NRAS' PM translocation, demonstrating that its depletion blocks NRAS, but not HRAS, KRAS4A and KRAS4B, translocating to PM. GOLGA7 is known to stabilize the palmitoyltransferase ZDHHC9 for NRAS and HRAS palmitoylation, but we found that GOLGA7 depletion does not affect NRAS' palmitoylation level. Further studies show that loss of GOLGA7 disrupts NRAS anterograde trafficking, leading to its cis-Golgi accumulation. Remarkably, depleting GOLGA7 effectively inhibits cell proliferation in multiple NRAS-mutant cancer cell lines and attenuates NRASG12D-induced oncogenic transformation in vivo. These findings elucidate a specific intracellular trafficking route for NRAS under GOLGA7 regulation, highlighting GOLGA7 as a promising therapeutic target for NRAS-driven cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxuan Liu
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory for Medical Genomics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Jiao
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory for Medical Genomics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Peihong Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory for Medical Genomics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Baoyuan Zhang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory for Medical Genomics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiaming Gao
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory for Medical Genomics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Donghe Li
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory for Medical Genomics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xi Xie
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory for Medical Genomics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunying Yao
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory for Medical Genomics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Yan
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory for Medical Genomics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenghong Qin
- Laboratory of Aging and Nervous Diseases, Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Ping Liu
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory for Medical Genomics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Ruibao Ren
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory for Medical Genomics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
- International Center for Aging and Cancer, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, Hainan Province, China.
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8
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Trebino TE, Markusic B, Nan H, Banerjee S, Wang Z. Unveiling the domain-specific and RAS isoform-specific details of BRAF kinase regulation. eLife 2023; 12:RP88836. [PMID: 38150000 PMCID: PMC10752582 DOI: 10.7554/elife.88836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BRAF is a key member in the MAPK signaling pathway essential for cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. Mutant BRAF is often the underlying cause of various types of cancer and mutant RAS, the upstream regulator of BRAF, is a driver of up to one-third of all cancers. BRAF interacts with RAS and undergoes a conformational change from an inactive, autoinhibited monomer to an active dimer, which propagates downstream signaling. Because of BRAF's complex regulation mechanism, the exact order and magnitude of its activation steps have yet to be confirmed experimentally. By studying the inter- and intramolecular interactions of BRAF, we unveil the domain-specific and isoform-specific details of BRAF regulation through pulldown assays, open surface plasmon resonance (OpenSPR), and hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS). We demonstrate that the BRAF specific region (BSR) and cysteine rich domain (CRD) play a crucial role in regulating the activation of BRAF in a RAS isoform-specific manner. Moreover, we quantified the binding affinities between BRAF N-terminal and kinase domains (KD) to reveal their individual roles in autoinhibition. Our findings also indicate that oncogenic BRAF-KDD594G mutant has a lower affinity for the N-terminal domains, implicating that pathogenic BRAF acts through decreased propensity for autoinhibition. Collectively, our study provides valuable insight into the activation mechanism of BRAF kinase to guide the development of new therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Borna Markusic
- Rowan UniversityGlassboroUnited States
- Max Planck Institute of BiophysicsFrankfurt am MainGermany
| | - Haihan Nan
- Rowan UniversityGlassboroUnited States
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
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9
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Rehl KM, Selvakumar J, Pitsch RL, Hoang D, Arumugam K, Harshman SW, Gorfe AA, Cho KJ. A new ferrocene derivative blocks K-Ras localization and function by oxidative modification at His95. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202302094. [PMID: 37666666 PMCID: PMC10477449 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ras proteins are membrane-bound GTPases that regulate essential cellular processes at the plasma membrane (PM). Constitutively active mutations of K-Ras, one of the three Ras isoforms in mammalian cells, are frequently found in human cancers. Ferrocene derivatives, which elevate cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), have shown to block the growth of non-small cell lung cancers harboring oncogenic mutant K-Ras. Here, we tested a novel ferrocene derivative on the growth of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer. Our compound, which elevated cellular ROS levels, inhibited the growth of K-Ras-driven cancers, and abrogated the PM binding and signaling of K-Ras in an isoform-specific manner. These effects were reversed upon antioxidant supplementation, suggesting a ROS-mediated mechanism. We further identified that K-Ras His95 residue plays an important role in this process, and it is putatively oxidized by cellular ROS. Together, our study demonstrates that the redox system directly regulates K-Ras/PM binding and signaling via oxidative modification at the His95, and proposes a role of oncogenic mutant K-Ras in the recently described antioxidant-induced growth and metastasis of K-Ras-driven cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen M Rehl
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Boonshoft School of Medicine, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, USA
| | - Jayaraman Selvakumar
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science and Mathematics, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, USA
| | - Rhonda L Pitsch
- https://ror.org/02e2egq70 Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, USA
| | - Don Hoang
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science and Mathematics, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, USA
| | - Kuppuswamy Arumugam
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science and Mathematics, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, USA
| | - Sean W Harshman
- https://ror.org/02e2egq70 Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, USA
| | - Alemayehu A Gorfe
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kwang-Jin Cho
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Boonshoft School of Medicine, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, USA
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10
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Martin-Vega A, Cobb MH. Navigating the ERK1/2 MAPK Cascade. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1555. [PMID: 37892237 PMCID: PMC10605237 DOI: 10.3390/biom13101555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The RAS-ERK pathway is a fundamental signaling cascade crucial for many biological processes including proliferation, cell cycle control, growth, and survival; common across all cell types. Notably, ERK1/2 are implicated in specific processes in a context-dependent manner as in stem cells and pancreatic β-cells. Alterations in the different components of this cascade result in dysregulation of the effector kinases ERK1/2 which communicate with hundreds of substrates. Aberrant activation of the pathway contributes to a range of disorders, including cancer. This review provides an overview of the structure, activation, regulation, and mutational frequency of the different tiers of the cascade; with a particular focus on ERK1/2. We highlight the importance of scaffold proteins that contribute to kinase localization and coordinate interaction dynamics of the kinases with substrates, activators, and inhibitors. Additionally, we explore innovative therapeutic approaches emphasizing promising avenues in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Martin-Vega
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park Rd., Dallas, TX 75390, USA;
| | - Melanie H. Cobb
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park Rd., Dallas, TX 75390, USA;
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park Rd., Dallas, TX 75390, USA
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11
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Trebino T, Markusic B, Nan H, Banerjee S, Wang Z. Unveiling the Domain-Specific and RAS Isoform-Specific Details of BRAF Regulation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.24.538112. [PMID: 37163002 PMCID: PMC10168249 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.24.538112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
BRAF is a key member in the MAPK signaling pathway essential for cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. Dysregulation or mutation of BRAF is often the underlying cause of various types of cancer. RAS, a small GTPase protein that acts upstream of BRAF, has been identified as a driver of up to one-third of all cancers. When BRAF interacts with RAS via the RAS binding domain (RBD) and membrane recruitment, BRAF undergoes a conformational change from an inactive, autoinhibited monomer to an active dimer and subsequently phosphorylates MEK to propagate the signal. Despite the central role of BRAF in cellular signaling, the exact order and magnitude of its activation steps has yet to be confirmed experimentally. By studying the inter- and intramolecular interactions of BRAF, we unveil the domain-specific and isoform-specific details of BRAF regulation. We employed pulldown assays, open surface plasmon resonance (OpenSPR), and hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) to investigate the roles of the regulatory regions in BRAF activation and autoinhibition. Our results demonstrate that the BRAF specific region (BSR) and cysteine rich domain (CRD) play a crucial role in regulating the activity of BRAF. Moreover, we quantified the autoinhibitory binding affinities between the N-terminal domains and the kinase domain (KD) of BRAF and revealed the individual roles of the BRAF regulatory domains. Additionally, our findings provide evidence that the BSR negatively regulates BRAF activation in a RAS isoform-specific manner. Our findings also indicate that oncogenic BRAF-KDD594G mutant has a lower affinity for the regulatory domains, implicating that pathogenic BRAF acts through decreased propensity for autoinhibition. Collectively, our study provides valuable insights into the activation mechanism of BRAF kinase and may help to guide the development of new therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarah Trebino
- Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Rd, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
| | - Borna Markusic
- Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Rd, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
- Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Max-von-Laue Straße 3, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Haihan Nan
- Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Rd, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Shrhea Banerjee
- Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Rd, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
| | - Zhihong Wang
- Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Rd, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
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12
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Palacio-Castañeda V, van de Crommert B, Verploegen E, Overeem M, van Oostrum J, Verdurmen WP. Potent and selective eradication of tumor cells by an EpCAM-targeted Ras-degrading enzyme. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2023; 30:16-26. [PMID: 37485031 PMCID: PMC10362089 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2023.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of efforts, an urgent need remains to develop tumor cell-selective rat sarcoma (Ras)-targeting therapies that can treat patients with Ras-driven tumors. Here we report modular engineered proteins that degrade Ras selectively in tumor cells that overexpress the tumor cell marker epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) by fusing the Ras degrader Ras-Rap1-specific endopeptidase with the translocation domain of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A (ETA) or diphtheria toxin (DT). Redirection to EpCAM is achieved by a designed ankyrin repeat protein. In two-dimensional tumor cell cultures, complete degradation of Ras proteins after 24 h was observed with EpCAM-targeted Ras degraders fused to ETA or DT in EpCAM-overexpressing MCF7 and HCT116 cells, with median inhibition concentration values at sub-nanomolar levels. The viability of EpCAM-low non-cancerous fibroblasts remained unaffected. In a three-dimensional (3D) tumor-on-a-chip system that mimics the natural tumor microenvironment, effective Ras degradation and selective toxicity toward tumor cells, particularly with the ETA-fused constructs, was determined on-chip. To conclude, we demonstrate the potential of modular engineered proteins to kill tumor cells highly selectively by simultaneously exploiting EpCAM as a tumor-specific cell surface molecule as well as Ras as an intracellular oncotarget in a 3D system mimicking the natural tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Palacio-Castañeda
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Bas van de Crommert
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Elke Verploegen
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Mike Overeem
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jenny van Oostrum
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Wouter P.R. Verdurmen
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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13
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Liu J, Arora N, Zhou Y. RAS GTPases and Interleaflet Coupling in the Plasma Membrane. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2023; 15:a041414. [PMID: 37463719 PMCID: PMC10513163 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
RAS genes are frequently mutated in cancer. The primary signaling compartment of wild-type and constitutively active oncogenic mutant RAS proteins is the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane (PM). Thus, a better understanding of the unique environment of the PM inner leaflet is important to shed further light on RAS function. Over the past few decades, an integrated approach of superresolution imaging, molecular dynamic simulations, and biophysical assays has yielded new insights into the capacity of RAS proteins to sort lipids with specific headgroups and acyl chains, to assemble signaling nanoclusters on the inner PM. RAS proteins also sense and respond to changes in components of the outer PM leaflet, including glycophosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins, sphingophospholipids, glycosphingolipids, and galectins, as well as cholesterol that translocates between the two leaflets. Such communication between the inner and outer leaflets of the PM, called interleaflet coupling, allows RAS to potentially integrate extracellular mechanical and electrostatic information with intracellular biochemical signaling events, and reciprocally allows mutant RAS-transformed tumor cells to modify tumor microenvironments. Here, we review RAS-lipid interactions and speculate on potential mechanisms that allow communication between the opposing leaflets of the PM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junchen Liu
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Neha Arora
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Yong Zhou
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Biochemistry and Cell Biology Program, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, MD Anderson Cancer Center and University of Texas, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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14
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Murphy BM, Jensen DM, Arnold TE, Aguilar-Valenzuela R, Hughes J, Posada V, Nguyen KT, Chu VT, Tsai KY, Burd CJ, Burd CE. The OSUMMER lines: A series of ultraviolet-accelerated NRAS-mutant mouse melanoma cell lines syngeneic to C57BL/6. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2023; 36:365-377. [PMID: 37341054 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.13107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
An increasing number of cancer subtypes are treated with front-line immunotherapy. However, approaches to overcome primary and acquired resistance remain limited. Preclinical mouse models are often used to investigate resistance mechanisms, novel drug combinations, and delivery methods; yet most of these models lack the genetic diversity and mutational patterns observed in human tumors. Here we describe a series of 13 C57BL/6J melanoma cell lines to address this gap in the field. The Ohio State University-Moffitt Melanoma Exposed to Radiation (OSUMMER) cell lines are derived from mice expressing endogenous, melanocyte-specific, and clinically relevant Nras driver mutations (Q61R, Q61K, or Q61L). Exposure of these animals to a single, non-burning dose of ultraviolet B accelerates the onset of spontaneous melanomas with mutational patterns akin to human disease. Furthermore, in vivo irradiation selects against potent tumor antigens, which could prevent the outgrowth of syngeneic cell transfers. Each OSUMMER cell line possesses distinct in vitro growth properties, trametinib sensitivity, mutational signatures, and predicted antigenicity. Analysis of OSUMMER allografts shows a correlation between strong, predicted antigenicity and poor tumor outgrowth. These data suggest that the OSUMMER lines will be a valuable tool for modeling the heterogeneous responses of human melanomas to targeted and immune-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon M Murphy
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Daelin M Jensen
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Tiffany E Arnold
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Renan Aguilar-Valenzuela
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Jase Hughes
- EMD Millipore Corporation, Temecula, California, USA
| | - Valentina Posada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Kimberly T Nguyen
- Center for Genomic and Precision Medicine, Texas A&M Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Vi T Chu
- EMD Millipore Corporation, Temecula, California, USA
| | - Kenneth Y Tsai
- Departments of Pathology and Tumor Biology, The H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Craig J Burd
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Christin E Burd
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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15
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Nair A, Chakraborty S, Saha B. CD40 induces selective routing of Ras isoforms to subcellular compartments. J Cell Commun Signal 2023; 17:1009-1021. [PMID: 37126117 PMCID: PMC10409697 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-023-00747-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Ras GTPases are central to cellular signaling and oncogenesis. The three loci of the Ras gene encode for four protein isoforms namely Harvey-Ras (H-Ras), Kirsten-Ras (K-Ras 4A and 4B), and Neuroblastoma-Ras (N-Ras) which share ~ 80% sequence similarity and used to be considered functionally redundant. The small molecule inhibitors of Ras lack specificity for the isoforms leading to widespread toxicity in Ras-targeted therapeutics. Ras isoforms' tissue-specific expression and selective association with carcinogenesis, embryonic development, and infection suggested their non-redundancy. We show that CD40, an antigen-presenting cell (APC)-expressed immune receptor, induces selective relocation of H-Ras, K-Ras, and N-Ras to the Plasma membrane (PM) lipid rafts, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), but not to the Golgi complex (GC). The two palmitoylated Ras isoforms-H-Ras and N-Ras-have a similar pattern of colocalization into the lipid-rich raft microdomain of the PM at early time points when compared to non-palmitoylated K-Ras (4B) with polylysine residues. CD40-induced trafficking of H-Ras and K-Ras to mitochondria and ER was found to be similar but different from that of N-Ras. Trafficking of all the Ras isoforms to the GC was independent of CD40 stimulation. The receptor-driven trafficking and spatial segregation of H-Ras, K-Ras, and N-Ras imply isoform-specific subcellular signaling platforms for the functional non-redundancy of Ras isoforms. PDB structures have been modified to illustrate various signaling proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arathi Nair
- National Centre for Cell Science, Ganeshkhind, Pune, 411007, India.
| | - Sushmita Chakraborty
- Department of Transplant Immunology and Immunogenetics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 1100029, India
| | - Bhaskar Saha
- National Centre for Cell Science, Ganeshkhind, Pune, 411007, India.
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16
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Jayadev R, Chi Q, Sherwood DR. Post-embryonic endogenous expression and localization of LET-60/Ras in C. elegans. MICROPUBLICATION BIOLOGY 2023; 2023:10.17912/micropub.biology.000931. [PMID: 37692087 PMCID: PMC10492041 DOI: 10.17912/micropub.biology.000931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Ras GTPases regulate many developmental and physiological processes and mutations in Ras are associated with numerous human cancers. Here, we report the function, levels, and localization of an N-terminal knock-in of mNeonGreen (mNG) into C. elegans LET-60 /Ras. mNG:: LET-60 interferes with some but not all LET-60 /Ras functions. mNG:: LET-60 is broadly present in tissues, found at different levels in cells, and concentrates in distinct subcellular compartments, including the nucleolus, nucleus, intracellular region, and plasma membrane. These results suggest that mNG:: LET-60 can be a useful tool for determining LET-60 levels and localization once its functionality in a developmental or physiological process is established.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Qiuyi Chi
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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17
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Ahmad M, Movileanu L. Multiplexed imaging for probing RAS-RAF interactions in living cells. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOMEMBRANES 2023; 1865:184173. [PMID: 37211322 PMCID: PMC10330472 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2023.184173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
GTP-bound RAS interacts with its protein effectors in response to extracellular stimuli, leading to chemical inputs for downstream pathways. Significant progress has been made in measuring these reversible protein-protein interactions (PPIs) in various cell-free environments. Yet, acquiring high sensitivity in heterogeneous solutions remains challenging. Here, using an intermolecular fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) biosensing approach, we develop a method to visualize and localize HRAS-CRAF interactions in living cells. We demonstrate that the EGFR activation and the HRAS-CRAF complex formation can be concurrently probed in a single cell. This biosensing strategy discriminates EGF-stimulated HRAS-CRAF interactions at the cell and organelle membranes. In addition, we provide quantitative FRET measurements for assessing these transient PPIs in a cell-free environment. Finally, we prove the utility of this approach by showing that an EGFR-binding compound is a potent inhibitor of HRAS-CRAF interactions. The outcomes of this work form a fundamental basis for further explorations of the spatiotemporal dynamics of various signaling networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Ahmad
- Department of Physics, Syracuse University, 201 Physics Building, Syracuse, New York 13244-1130, USA
| | - Liviu Movileanu
- Department of Physics, Syracuse University, 201 Physics Building, Syracuse, New York 13244-1130, USA; Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, 329 Link Hall, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA; The BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA.
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18
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Rehl KM, Selvakumar J, Hoang D, Arumugam K, Gorfe AA, Cho KJ. A new ferrocene derivative blocks KRAS localization and function by oxidative modification at His95. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.28.534499. [PMID: 37034642 PMCID: PMC10081197 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.28.534499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Ras proteins are membrane-bound GTPases that regulate essential cellular processes at the plasma membrane (PM). Constitutively active mutations of K-Ras, one of the three Ras isoforms in mammalian cells, are frequently found in human cancers. Ferrocene derivatives, which elevate cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), have shown to block the growth of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) harboring oncogenic mutant K-Ras. Here, we developed and tested a novel ferrocene derivative on the growth of human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and NSCLC. Our compound inhibited the growth of K-Ras-dependent PDAC and NSCLC and abrogated the PM binding and signaling of K-Ras, but not other Ras isoforms. These effects were reversed upon antioxidant supplementation, suggesting a ROS-mediated mechanism. We further identified K-Ras His95 residue in the G-domain as being involved in the ferrocene-induced K-Ras PM dissociation via oxidative modification. Together, our studies demonstrate that the redox system directly regulates K-Ras PM binding and signaling via oxidative modification at the His95, and proposes a role of oncogenic mutant K-Ras in the recently described antioxidant-induced metastasis in K-Ras-driven lung cancers.
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GAP positions catalytic H-Ras residue Q61 for GTP hydrolysis in molecular dynamics simulations, complicating chemical rescue of Ras deactivation. Comput Biol Chem 2023; 104:107835. [PMID: 36893567 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2023.107835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
Functional interaction of Ras signaling proteins with upstream, negative regulatory GTPase activating proteins (GAPs) represents a crucial step in cellular decision making related to growth and survival. Key components of the catalytic transition state for Ras deactivation by GAP-accelerated hydrolysis of Ras-bound guanosine triphosphate (GTP) are thought to include an arginine residue from the GAP (the arginine finger), a glutamine residue from Ras (Q61), and a water molecule that is likely coordinated by Q61 to engage in nucleophilic attack on GTP. Here, we use in-vitro fluorescence experiments to show that 0.1-100 mM concentrations of free arginine, imidazole, and other small nitrogenous molecule fail to accelerate GTP hydrolysis, even in the presence of the catalytic domain of a mutant GAP lacking its arginine finger (R1276A NF1). This result is surprising given that imidazole can chemically rescue enzyme activity in arginine-to-alanine mutant protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) that share many active site components with Ras/GAP complexes. Complementary all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations reveal that an arginine finger GAP mutant still functions to enhance Ras Q61-GTP interaction, though less extensively than wild-type GAP. This increased Q61-GTP proximity may promote more frequent fluctuations into configurations that enable GTP hydrolysis as a component of the mechanism by which GAPs accelerate Ras deactivation in the face of arginine finger mutations. The failure of small molecule analogs of arginine to chemically rescue catalytic deactivation of Ras is consistent with the idea that the influence of the GAP goes beyond the simple provision of its arginine finger. However, the failure of chemical rescue in the presence of R1276A NF1 suggests that the GAPs arginine finger is either unsusceptible to rescue due to exquisite positioning or that it is involved in complex multivalent interactions. Therefore, in the context of oncogenic Ras proteins with mutations at codons 12 or 13 that inhibit arginine finger penetration toward GTP, drug-based chemical rescue of GTP hydrolysis may have bifunctional chemical/geometric requirements that are more difficult to satisfy than those that result from arginine-to-alanine mutations in other enzymes for which chemical rescue has been demonstrated.
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Ravishankar R, Hildebrandt ER, Greenway G, Asad N, Gore S, Dore TM, Schmidt WK. Specific Disruption of Ras2 CAAX Proteolysis Alters Its Localization and Function. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0269222. [PMID: 36602340 PMCID: PMC9927470 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02692-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Many CAAX proteins, such as Ras GTPase, undergo a series of posttranslational modifications at their carboxyl terminus (i.e., cysteine prenylation, endoproteolysis of AAX, and carboxylmethylation). Some CAAX proteins, however, undergo prenylation-only modification, such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae Hsp40 Ydj1. We previously observed that altering the CAAX motif of Ydj1 from prenylation-only to canonical resulted in altered Ydj1 function and localization. Here, we investigated the effects of a reciprocal change that altered the well-characterized canonical CAAX motif of S. cerevisiae Ras2 to prenylation-only. We observed that the type of CAAX motif impacted Ras2 protein levels, localization, and function. Moreover, we observed that using a prenylation-only sequence to stage hyperactive Ras2-G19V as a farnesylated and nonproteolyzed intermediate resulted in a different phenotype relative to staging by a genetic RCE1 deletion strategy that simultaneously affected many CAAX proteins. These findings suggested that a prenylation-only CAAX motif is useful for probing the specific impact of CAAX proteolysis on Ras2 under conditions where other CAAX proteins are normally modified. We propose that our strategy could be easily applied to a wide range of CAAX proteins for examining the specific impact of CAAX proteolysis on their functions. IMPORTANCE CAAX proteins are subject to multiple posttranslational modifications: cysteine prenylation, CAAX proteolysis, and carboxylmethylation. For investigations of CAAX proteolysis, this study took the novel approach of using a proteolysis-resistant CAAX sequence to stage Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ras2 GTPase in a farnesylated and nonproteolyzed state. Our approach specifically limited the effects of disrupting CAAX proteolysis to Ras2. This represented an improvement over previous methods where CAAX proteolysis was inhibited by gene knockout, small interfering RNA knockdown, or biochemical inhibition of the Rce1 CAAX protease, which can lead to pleiotropic and unclear attribution of effects due to the action of Rce1 on multiple CAAX proteins. Our approach yielded results that demonstrated specific impacts of CAAX proteolysis on the function, localization, and other properties of Ras2, highlighting the utility of this approach for investigating the impact of CAAX proteolysis in other protein contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajani Ravishankar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Emily R. Hildebrandt
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Grace Greenway
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Nadeem Asad
- New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sangram Gore
- New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Timothy M. Dore
- New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Chemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Walter K. Schmidt
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
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KIR signaling is regulated by electrostatic interaction of its cytosolic tail with the plasma membrane despite being neutral polyampholyte. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2212987120. [PMID: 36574700 PMCID: PMC9910492 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2212987120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Many receptors signal upon phosphorylation of tyrosine-based motifs in their cytosolic tail, with intrinsic disorder as a common feature. Studies on CD3ζ and CD3ε tails, which are disordered and polybasic, suggested regulation of phosphorylation through accessibility of tyrosines, governed by electrostatic interactions with membrane anionic lipids. We noticed characteristics of intrinsic disorder and previously unappreciated features in tyrosine-based motif-bearing cytosolic tails of many, especially, inhibitory receptors. They are neutral or acidic polyampholytes, with acidic and basic residues linearly segregated. To explore roles of these electrostatic features, we studied inhibitory killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR). Its cytosolic tail is a disordered neutrally charged polyampholyte, wherein juxtamembrane and membrane distal stretches are basic, and the intervening stretch is acidic. Despite lacking net charge, it interacted electrostatically with the plasma membrane. The juxtamembrane stretch was crucial for overall binding, which sequestered tyrosines in the lipid bilayer and restrained their constitutive phosphorylation. Human leukocyte antigen-C ligand binding to KIR released its tail from the plasma membrane to initiate signaling. Tail release occurred independently of KIR polymerization, clustering, or tyrosine phosphorylation, but required acidic residues of the acidic stretch. Tail interaction with the plasma membrane dictated signaling strength of KIR. These results revealed an electrostatic protein-lipid interaction that is unusual in being governed by segregated clusters of acidic and basic residues in polyampholytic disordered region of protein. In contrast to previously known, segregated distribution of oppositely charged residues made both binding and unbinding modules inherent to receptor tail, which could make the interaction an independent signaling switch.
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Nuevo-Tapioles C, Philips MR. The role of KRAS splice variants in cancer biology. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1033348. [PMID: 36393833 PMCID: PMC9663995 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1033348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The three mammalian RAS genes (HRAS, NRAS and KRAS) encode four proteins that play central roles in cancer biology. Among them, KRAS is mutated more frequently in human cancer than any other oncogene. The pre-mRNA of KRAS is alternatively spliced to give rise to two products, KRAS4A and KRAS4B, which differ in the membrane targeting sequences at their respective C-termini. Notably, both KRAS4A and KRAS4B are oncogenic when KRAS is constitutively activated by mutation in exon 2 or 3. Whereas KRAS4B is the most studied oncoprotein, KRAS4A is understudied and until recently considered relatively unimportant. Emerging work has confirmed expression of KRAS4A in cancer and found non-overlapping functions of the splice variants. The most clearly demonstrated of these is direct regulation of hexokinase 1 by KRAS4A, suggesting that the metabolic vulnerabilities of KRAS-mutant tumors may be determined in part by the relative expression of the splice variants. The aim of this review is to address the most relevant characteristics and differential functions of the KRAS splice variants as they relate to cancer onset and progression.
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23
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Lucas RM, Luo L, Stow JL. ERK1/2 in immune signalling. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:1341-1352. [PMID: 36281999 PMCID: PMC9704528 DOI: 10.1042/bst20220271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular signal-related kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) are the final components of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation cascade, an integral module in a diverse array of signalling pathways for shaping cell behaviour and fate. More recently, studies have shown that ERK1/2 plays an essential role downstream of immune receptors to elicit inflammatory gene expression in response to infection and cell or tissue damage. Much of this work has studied ERK1/2 activation in Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways, providing mechanistic insights into its recruitment, compartmentalisation and activation in cells of the innate immune system. In this review, we summarise the typical activation of ERK1/2 in growth factor receptor pathways before discussing its known roles in immune cell signalling with a focus downstream of TLRs. We examine emerging research uncovering evidence of dysfunctional ERK1/2 signalling in inflammatory diseases and discuss the potential therapeutic benefit of targeting ERK1/2 pathways in inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard M. Lucas
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) and Centre for Inflammation and Disease Research, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Lin Luo
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) and Centre for Inflammation and Disease Research, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Jennifer L. Stow
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) and Centre for Inflammation and Disease Research, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
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24
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Weeks R, Zhou X, Yuan TL, Zhang J. Fluorescent Biosensor for Measuring Ras Activity in Living Cells. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:17432-17440. [PMID: 36122391 PMCID: PMC10031818 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c05203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The small GTPase Ras is a critical regulator of cell growth and proliferation. Its activity is frequently dysregulated in cancers, prompting decades of work to pharmacologically target Ras. Understanding Ras biology and developing effective Ras therapeutics both require probing Ras activity in its native context, yet tools to measure its activities in cellulo are limited. Here, we developed a ratiometric Ras activity reporter (RasAR) that provides quantitative measurement of Ras activity in living cells with high spatiotemporal resolution. We demonstrated that RasAR can probe live-cell activities of all the primary isoforms of Ras. Given that the functional roles of different isoforms of Ras are intimately linked to their subcellular distribution and regulation, we interrogated the spatiotemporal regulation of Ras utilizing subcellularly targeted RasAR and uncovered the role of Src kinase as an upstream regulator to inhibit HRas. Furthermore, we showed that RasAR enables capture of KRasG12C inhibition dynamics in living cells upon treatment with KRasG12C covalent inhibitors, including ARS1620, Sotorasib, and Adagrasib. We found in living cells a residual Ras activity lingers for hours in the presence of these inhibitors. Together, RasAR represents a powerful molecular tool to enable live-cell interrogation of Ras activity and facilitate the development of Ras inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Weeks
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Xin Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Tina L. Yuan
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jin Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Correspondence: Jin Zhang, 9500 Gilman Drive, BRF-II 1120, La Jolla, CA 92093-0702, phone (858) 246-0602,
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25
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Minati MA, Assi M, Libert M, Cordi S, Lemaigre F, Jacquemin P. KRAS protein expression becomes progressively restricted during embryogenesis and in adulthood. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:995013. [PMID: 36238685 PMCID: PMC9551567 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.995013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
KRAS mutants are common in many cancers and wild-type KRAS is essential in development as its absence causes embryonic lethality. Despite this critical role in development and disease, the normal expression pattern of KRAS protein is still largely unknown at the tissue level due to the lack of valid antibodies. To address this issue, we used the citrine-Kras mouse model in which the Citrine-KRAS (Cit-K) fusion protein functions as a validated surrogate of endogenous KRAS protein that can be detected on tissue sections by immunolabeling with a GFP antibody. In the embryo, we found expression of KRAS protein in a wide range of organs and tissues. This expression tends to decrease near birth, mainly in mesenchymal cells. During transition to the adult stage, the dynamics of KRAS protein expression vary among organs and detection of KRAS becomes restricted to specific cell types. Furthermore, we found that steady state KRAS protein expression is detectable at the cell membrane and in the cytoplasm and that this subcellular partitioning differed among cell types. Our results reveal hitherto unanticipated dynamics in developmental, tissular, cell-specific and subcellular expression of KRAS protein. They provide insight into the reason why specific cell-types are sensitive to KRAS mutations during cancer initiation.
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26
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Conroy M, Cowzer D, Kolch W, Duffy AG. Emerging RAS-directed therapies for cancer. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2022; 4:543-558. [PMID: 35582302 PMCID: PMC9094076 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2021.07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
RAS oncogenes are the most commonly mutated oncogenes in human cancer, and RAS-mutant cancers represent a major burden of human disease. Though these oncogenes were discovered decades ago, recent years have seen major advances in understanding of their structure and function, including the therapeutic and prognostic significance of diverse isoforms. Targeting of these mutations has proven difficult, despite some successes with inhibition of RAS effector signalling. More recently, direct RAS inhibition has been achieved in a trial setting. While this has yet to be translated to everyday clinical practice, this development carries much promise. This review summarizes the diverse approaches that have been taken to RAS inhibition and then focuses on the most recent developments in direct inhibition of KRAS(G12C).
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Conroy
- Department of Medical Oncology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin 7, Ireland.,Authors contributed equally
| | - Darren Cowzer
- Department of Medical Oncology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin 7, Ireland.,Authors contributed equally
| | - Walter Kolch
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.,Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Austin G Duffy
- Department of Medical Oncology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin 7, Ireland
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27
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An emerging role of KRAS in biogenesis, cargo sorting and uptake of cancer-derived extracellular vesicles. Future Med Chem 2022; 14:827-845. [PMID: 35502655 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2021-0332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanovesicles secreted for intercellular communication with endosomal network regulating secretion of small EVs (or exosomes) that play roles in cancer progression. As an essential oncoprotein, Kirsten rat sarcoma virus (KRAS) is tightly regulated by its endosomal trafficking for membrane attachment. However, the crosstalk between KRAS and EVs has been scarcely discussed despite its endocytic association. An overview of the oncogenic role of KRAS focusing on its correlation with cancer-associated EVs should provide important clues for disease prognosis and inspire novel therapeutic approaches for treating KRAS mutant cancers. Therefore, this review summarizes the relevant studies that provide substantial evidence linking KRAS mutation to EVs and discusses the oncogenic implication from the aspects of biogenesis, cargo sorting, and release and uptake of the EVs.
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28
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Blockade of PD-L1/PD-1 signaling promotes osteo-/odontogenic differentiation through Ras activation. Int J Oral Sci 2022; 14:18. [PMID: 35365595 PMCID: PMC8976080 DOI: 10.1038/s41368-022-00168-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and its receptor programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) deliver inhibitory signals to regulate immunological tolerance during immune-mediated diseases. However, the role of PD-1 signaling and its blockade effect on human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) differentiation into the osteo-/odontogenic lineage remain unknown. We show here that PD-L1 expression, but not PD-1, is downregulated during osteo-/odontogenic differentiation of hDPSCs. Importantly, PD-L1/PD-1 signaling has been shown to negatively regulate the osteo-/odontogenic differentiation of hDPSCs. Mechanistically, depletion of either PD-L1 or PD-1 expression increased ERK and AKT phosphorylation levels through the upregulation of Ras enzyme activity, which plays a pivotal role during hDPSCs osteo-/odontogenic differentiation. Treatment with nivolumab (a human anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody), which targets PD-1 to prevent PD-L1 binding, successfully enhanced osteo-/odontogenic differentiation of hDPSCs through enhanced Ras activity-mediated phosphorylation of ERK and AKT. Our findings underscore that downregulation of PD-L1 expression accompanies during osteo-/odontogenic differentiation, and hDPSCs-intrinsic PD-1 signaling inhibits osteo-/odontogenic differentiation. These findings provide a significant basis that PD-1 blockade could be effective immunotherapeutic strategies in hDPSCs-mediated dental pulp regeneration.
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29
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Gong RH, Chen M, Huang C, Wong HLX, Kwan HY, Bian Z. Combination of artesunate and WNT974 induces KRAS protein degradation by upregulating E3 ligase ANACP2 and β-TrCP in the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway. Cell Commun Signal 2022; 20:34. [PMID: 35305671 PMCID: PMC8934478 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-022-00834-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background KRAS mutation is one of the dominant gene mutations in colorectal cancer (CRC). Up to present, targeting KRAS for CRC treatment remains a clinical challenge. WNT974 (LGK974) is a porcupine inhibitor that interferes Wnt signaling pathway. Artesunate (ART) is a water-soluble semi-synthetic derivative of artemisinin. Methods The synergistic effect of ART and WNT974 combination in reducing CRC cell viability was determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. RT-PCR was utilized for the mRNA levels of KRAS, CUL7, ANAPC2, UBE2M, RNF123, SYVN1, or β-TrCP. Western blot assay was utilized for the protein levels of NRAS, HRAS, KRAS, ANAPC2, β-TrCP, GSK-3β, p-Akt (Ser473), t-Akt, p-PI3K (Tyr458), t-PI3K, p-mTOR (Ser2448), t-mTOR. Xenograft mouse model assay was performed for the anti-CRC effect of combination of ART and WNT974 in vivo. IHC assay was utilized for the levels of KRAS, β-TrCP, GSK-3β or ANAPC2 in tumor tissues. Results Our study shows that the combination of WNT974 and ART exhibits synergistic effect in reducing CRC growth. The combination treatment significantly reduces KRAS protein level and activity in CRC cells. Interestingly, the combination treatment increases E3 ligases ANAPC2 expression. Our data show that overexpression of ANAPC2 significantly reduces KRAS protein levels, which is reversed by MG132. Knockdown of ANAPC2 in CRC abolishes the combination treatment-reduce KRAS expression. Besides, the treatment also increases the expressions of GSK-3β and E3 ligase β-TrCP that is known to degrade GSK-3β-phosphorylated KRAS protein. Knockdown of β-TrCP- and inhibition of GSK-3β abolish the combination treatment-induce KRAS ubiquitination and reduction in expression. Last but not least, combination treatment suppresses PI3K/Akt/m-TOR signaling pathway. Conclusions Our data clearly show that the combination treatment significantly enhances KRAS protein degradation via the ubiquitination ubiquitin–proteasome pathway, which is also demonstrated in xenograft mouse model. The study provides strong scientific evidence for the development of the combination of WNT974 and ART as KRAS-targeting therapeutics for CRC treatment. Video Abstract
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12964-022-00834-2.
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30
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Burge RA, Hobbs GA. Not all RAS mutations are equal: A detailed review of the functional diversity of RAS hot spot mutations. Adv Cancer Res 2022; 153:29-61. [PMID: 35101234 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2021.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The RAS family of small GTPases are among the most frequently mutated oncogenes in human cancer. Approximately 20% of cancers harbor a RAS mutation, and >150 different missense mutations have been detected. Many of these mutations have mutant-specific biochemical defects that alter nucleotide binding and hydrolysis, effector interactions and cell signaling, prompting renewed efforts in the development of anti-RAS therapies, including the mutation-specific strategies. Previously viewed as undruggable, the recent FDA approval of a KRASG12C-selective inhibitor has offered real promise to the development of allele-specific RAS therapies. A broader understanding of the mutational consequences on RAS function must be developed to exploit additional allele-specific vulnerabilities. Approximately 94% of RAS mutations occur at one of three mutational "hot spots" at Gly12, Gly13 and Gln61. Further, the single-nucleotide substitutions represent >99% of these mutations. Within this scope, we discuss the mutational frequencies of RAS isoforms in cancer, mutant-specific effector interactions and biochemical properties. By limiting our analysis to this mutational subset, we simplify the analysis while only excluding a small percentage of total mutations. Combined, these data suggest that the presence or absence of select RAS mutations in human cancers can be linked to their biochemical properties. Continuing to examine the biochemical differences in each RAS-mutant protein will continue to provide additional breakthroughs in allele-specific therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A Burge
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - G Aaron Hobbs
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States; Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.
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31
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Adamopoulos PG, Tsiakanikas P, Boti MA, Scorilas A. Targeted Long-Read Sequencing Decodes the Transcriptional Atlas of the Founding RAS Gene Family Members. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222413298. [PMID: 34948093 PMCID: PMC8709048 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The complicity of human RAS proteins in cancer is a well-documented fact, both due to the mutational hyperactivation of these GTPases and the overexpression of the genes encoding these proteins. Thus, it can be easily assumed that the study of RAS genes at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional level is of the utmost importance. Although previous research has shed some light on the basic mechanisms by which GTPases are involved in tumorigenesis, limited information is known regarding the transcriptional profile of the genes encoding these proteins. The present study highlights for the first time the wide spectrum of the mRNAs generated by the three most significant RAS genes (KRAS, NRAS and HRAS), providing an in-depth analysis of the splicing events and exon/intron boundaries. The implementation of a versatile, targeted nanopore-sequencing approach led to the identification of 39 novel RAS mRNA transcript variants and to the elucidation of their expression profiles in a broad panel of human cell lines. Although the present work unveiled multiple hidden aspects of the RAS gene family, further study is required to unravel the biological function of all the novel alternative transcript variants, as well as the putative protein isoforms.
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32
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Surve S, Watkins SC, Sorkin A. EGFR-RAS-MAPK signaling is confined to the plasma membrane and associated endorecycling protrusions. J Cell Biol 2021; 220:212639. [PMID: 34515735 PMCID: PMC8563293 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202107103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The subcellular localization of RAS GTPases defines the operational compartment of the EGFR-ERK1/2 signaling pathway within cells. Hence, we used live-cell imaging to demonstrate that endogenous KRAS and NRAS tagged with mNeonGreen are predominantly localized to the plasma membrane. NRAS was also present in the Golgi apparatus and a tubular, plasma-membrane derived endorecycling compartment, enriched in recycling endosome markers (TERC). In EGF-stimulated cells, there was essentially no colocalization of either mNeonGreen-KRAS or mNeonGreen-NRAS with endosomal EGFR, which, by contrast, remained associated with endogenous Grb2-mNeonGreen, a receptor adaptor upstream of RAS. ERK1/2 activity was diminished by blocking cell surface EGFR with cetuximab, even after most ligand-bound, Grb2-associated EGFRs were internalized. Endogenous mCherry-tagged RAF1, an effector of RAS, was recruited to the plasma membrane, with subsequent accumulation in mNG-NRAS–containing TERCs. We propose that a small pool of surface EGFRs sustain signaling within the RAS-ERK1/2 pathway and that RAS activation persists in TERCs, whereas endosomal EGFR does not significantly contribute to ERK1/2 activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachin Surve
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Simon C Watkins
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Alexander Sorkin
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
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33
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RAS Dimers: The Novice Couple at the RAS-ERK Pathway Ball. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12101556. [PMID: 34680951 PMCID: PMC8535645 DOI: 10.3390/genes12101556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Signals conveyed through the RAS-ERK pathway constitute a pivotal regulatory element in cancer-related cellular processes. Recently, RAS dimerization has been proposed as a key step in the relay of RAS signals, critically contributing to RAF activation. RAS clustering at plasma membrane microdomains and endomembranes facilitates RAS dimerization in response to stimulation, promoting RAF dimerization and subsequent activation. Remarkably, inhibiting RAS dimerization forestalls tumorigenesis in cellular and animal models. Thus, the pharmacological disruption of RAS dimers has emerged as an additional target for cancer researchers in the quest for a means to curtail aberrant RAS activity.
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34
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Heinrich F, Van QN, Jean-Francois F, Stephen AG, Lösche M. Membrane-bound KRAS approximates an entropic ensemble of configurations. Biophys J 2021; 120:4055-4066. [PMID: 34384763 PMCID: PMC8510975 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2021.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
KRAS4B is a membrane-anchored signaling protein and a primary target in cancer research. Predictions from molecular dynamics simulations that have previously shaped our mechanistic understanding of KRAS signaling disagree with recent experimental results from neutron reflectometry, NMR, and thermodynamic binding studies. To gain insight into these discrepancies, we compare this body of biophysical data to back-calculated experimental results from a series of molecular simulations that implement different subsets of molecular interactions. Our results show that KRAS4B approximates an entropic ensemble of configurations at model membranes containing 30% phosphatidylserine lipids, which is not significantly shaped by interactions between the globular G-domain of KRAS4B and the lipid membrane. These findings revise our understanding of KRAS signaling and promote a model in which the protein samples the accessible conformational space in a near-uniform manner while being available to bind to effector proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Heinrich
- Department of Physics, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland.
| | - Que N Van
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, Maryland
| | - Frantz Jean-Francois
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, Maryland
| | - Andrew G Stephen
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, Maryland
| | - Mathias Lösche
- Department of Physics, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland
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35
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Makino Y, Arakawa Y, Yoshioka E, Shofuda T, Minamiguchi S, Kawauchi T, Tanji M, Kanematsu D, Nonaka M, Okita Y, Kodama Y, Mano M, Hirose T, Mineharu Y, Miyamoto S, Kanemura Y. Infrequent RAS mutation is not associated with specific histological phenotype in gliomas. BMC Cancer 2021; 21:1025. [PMID: 34525976 PMCID: PMC8442437 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-08733-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mutations in driver genes such as IDH and BRAF have been identified in gliomas. Meanwhile, dysregulations in the p53, RB1, and MAPK and/or PI3K pathways are involved in the molecular pathogenesis of glioblastoma. RAS family genes activate MAPK through activation of RAF and PI3K to promote cell proliferation. RAS mutations are a well-known driver of mutation in many types of cancers, but knowledge of their significance for glioma is insufficient. The purpose of this study was to reveal the frequency and the clinical phenotype of RAS mutant in gliomas. METHODS This study analysed RAS mutations and their clinical significance in 242 gliomas that were stored as unfixed or cryopreserved specimens removed at Kyoto University and Osaka National Hospital between May 2006 and October 2017. The hot spots mutation of IDH1/2, H3F3A, HIST1H3B, and TERT promoter and exon 2 and exon 3 of KRAS, HRAS, and NRAS were analysed with Sanger sequencing method, and 1p/19q codeletion was analysed with multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification. DNA methylation array was performed in some RAS mutant tumours to improve accuracy of diagnosis. RESULTS RAS mutations were identified in four gliomas with three KRAS mutations and one NRAS mutation in one anaplastic oligodendroglioma, two anaplastic astrocytomas (IDH wild-type in each), and one ganglioglioma. RAS-mutant gliomas were identified with various types of glioma histology. CONCLUSION RAS mutation appears infrequent, and it is not associated with any specific histological phenotype of glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhide Makino
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Biomedical Research and Innovation, Institute for Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization Osaka National Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Arakawa
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
| | - Ema Yoshioka
- Department of Biomedical Research and Innovation, Institute for Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization Osaka National Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tomoko Shofuda
- Department of Biomedical Research and Innovation, Institute for Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization Osaka National Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Sachiko Minamiguchi
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takeshi Kawauchi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Biomedical Research and Innovation, Institute for Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization Osaka National Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masahiro Tanji
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Daisuke Kanematsu
- Department of Biomedical Research and Innovation, Institute for Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization Osaka National Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masahiro Nonaka
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Hospital Organization Osaka National Hospital, Osaka, Japan.,Department of Neurosurgery, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshiko Okita
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Hospital Organization Osaka National Hospital, Osaka, Japan.,Department of Neurosurgery, Osaka International Cancer Institute, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Kodama
- Department of Central Laboratory and Surgical Pathology, National Hospital Organization Osaka National Hospital, Osaka, Japan.,Division of Pathology Network, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Masayuki Mano
- Department of Central Laboratory and Surgical Pathology, National Hospital Organization Osaka National Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takanori Hirose
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Hyogo Cancer Center, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Yohei Mineharu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Susumu Miyamoto
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yonehiro Kanemura
- Department of Biomedical Research and Innovation, Institute for Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization Osaka National Hospital, Osaka, Japan. .,Department of Neurosurgery, National Hospital Organization Osaka National Hospital, Osaka, Japan.
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36
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Raf promotes dimerization of the Ras G-domain with increased allosteric connections. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2015648118. [PMID: 33653954 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2015648118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Ras dimerization is critical for Raf activation. Here we show that the Ras binding domain of Raf (Raf-RBD) induces robust Ras dimerization at low surface densities on supported lipid bilayers and, to a lesser extent, in solution as observed by size exclusion chromatography and confirmed by SAXS. Community network analysis based on molecular dynamics simulations shows robust allosteric connections linking the two Raf-RBD D113 residues located in the Galectin scaffold protein binding site of each Raf-RBD molecule and 85 Å apart on opposite ends of the dimer complex. Our results suggest that Raf-RBD binding and Ras dimerization are concerted events that lead to a high-affinity signaling complex at the membrane that we propose is an essential unit in the macromolecular assembly of higher order Ras/Raf/Galectin complexes important for signaling through the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway.
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37
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KRAS4A induces metastatic lung adenocarcinomas in vivo in the absence of the KRAS4B isoform. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2023112118. [PMID: 34301865 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2023112118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In mammals, the KRAS locus encodes two protein isoforms, KRAS4A and KRAS4B, which differ only in their C terminus via alternative splicing of distinct fourth exons. Previous studies have shown that whereas KRAS expression is essential for mouse development, the KRAS4A isoform is expendable. Here, we have generated a mouse strain that carries a terminator codon in exon 4B that leads to the expression of an unstable KRAS4B154 truncated polypeptide, hence resulting in a bona fide Kras4B-null allele. In contrast, this terminator codon leaves expression of the KRAS4A isoform unaffected. Mice selectively lacking KRAS4B expression developed to term but died perinatally because of hypertrabeculation of the ventricular wall, a defect reminiscent of that observed in embryos lacking the Kras locus. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) obtained from Kras4B-/- embryos proliferated less than did wild-type MEFs, because of limited expression of KRAS4A, a defect that can be compensated for by ectopic expression of this isoform. Introduction of the same terminator codon into a Kras FSFG12V allele allowed expression of an endogenous KRAS4AG12V oncogenic isoform in the absence of KRAS4B. Exposure of Kras +/FSF4AG12V4B- mice to Adeno-FLPo particles induced lung tumors with complete penetrance, albeit with increased latencies as compared with control Kras +/FSFG12V animals. Moreover, a significant percentage of these mice developed proximal metastasis, a feature seldom observed in mice expressing both mutant isoforms. These results illustrate that expression of the KRAS4AG12V mutant isoform is sufficient to induce lung tumors, thus suggesting that selective targeting of the KRAS4BG12V oncoprotein may not have significant therapeutic consequences.
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38
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Ras Isoforms from Lab Benches to Lives-What Are We Missing and How Far Are We? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22126508. [PMID: 34204435 PMCID: PMC8233758 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The central protein in the oncogenic circuitry is the Ras GTPase that has been under intense scrutiny for the last four decades. From its discovery as a viral oncogene and its non-oncogenic contribution to crucial cellular functioning, an elaborate genetic, structural, and functional map of Ras is being created for its therapeutic targeting. Despite decades of research, there still exist lacunae in our understanding of Ras. The complexity of the Ras functioning is further exemplified by the fact that the three canonical Ras genes encode for four protein isoforms (H-Ras, K-Ras4A, K-Ras4B, and N-Ras). Contrary to the initial assessment that the H-, K-, and N-Ras isoforms are functionally similar, emerging data are uncovering crucial differences between them. These Ras isoforms exhibit not only cell-type and context-dependent functions but also activator and effector specificities on activation by the same receptor. Preferential localization of H-, K-, and N-Ras in different microdomains of the plasma membrane and cellular organelles like Golgi, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and endosome adds a new dimension to isoform-specific signaling and diverse functions. Herein, we review isoform-specific properties of Ras GTPase and highlight the importance of considering these towards generating effective isoform-specific therapies in the future.
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Rudack T, Teuber C, Scherlo M, Güldenhaupt J, Schartner J, Lübben M, Klare J, Gerwert K, Kötting C. The Ras dimer structure. Chem Sci 2021; 12:8178-8189. [PMID: 34194708 PMCID: PMC8208300 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc00957e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncogenic mutated Ras is a key player in cancer, but despite intense and expensive approaches its catalytic center seems undruggable. The Ras dimer interface is a possible alternative drug target. Dimerization at the membrane affects cell growth signal transduction. In vivo studies indicate that preventing dimerization of oncogenic mutated Ras inhibits uncontrolled cell growth. Conventional computational drug-screening approaches require a precise atomic dimer model as input to successfully access drug candidates. However, the proposed dimer structural models are controversial. Here, we provide a clear-cut experimentally validated N-Ras dimer structural model. We incorporated unnatural amino acids into Ras to enable the binding of labels at multiple positions via click chemistry. This labeling allowed the determination of multiple distances of the membrane-bound Ras-dimer measured by fluorescence and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. In combination with protein-protein docking and biomolecular simulations, we identified key residues for dimerization. Site-directed mutations of these residues prevent dimer formation in our experiments, proving our dimer model to be correct. The presented dimer structure enables computational drug-screening studies exploiting the Ras dimer interface as an alternative drug target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Till Rudack
- Biospectroscopy, Center for Protein Diagnostics (PRODI), Ruhr University Bochum 44801 Bochum Germany
- Department of Biophysics, Ruhr University Bochum 44801 Bochum Germany
| | - Christian Teuber
- Biospectroscopy, Center for Protein Diagnostics (PRODI), Ruhr University Bochum 44801 Bochum Germany
- Department of Biophysics, Ruhr University Bochum 44801 Bochum Germany
| | - Marvin Scherlo
- Biospectroscopy, Center for Protein Diagnostics (PRODI), Ruhr University Bochum 44801 Bochum Germany
- Department of Biophysics, Ruhr University Bochum 44801 Bochum Germany
| | - Jörn Güldenhaupt
- Biospectroscopy, Center for Protein Diagnostics (PRODI), Ruhr University Bochum 44801 Bochum Germany
- Department of Biophysics, Ruhr University Bochum 44801 Bochum Germany
| | - Jonas Schartner
- Department of Biophysics, Ruhr University Bochum 44801 Bochum Germany
| | - Mathias Lübben
- Biospectroscopy, Center for Protein Diagnostics (PRODI), Ruhr University Bochum 44801 Bochum Germany
- Department of Biophysics, Ruhr University Bochum 44801 Bochum Germany
| | - Johann Klare
- Department of Physics, Osnabrück University 49074 Osnabrück Germany
| | - Klaus Gerwert
- Biospectroscopy, Center for Protein Diagnostics (PRODI), Ruhr University Bochum 44801 Bochum Germany
- Department of Biophysics, Ruhr University Bochum 44801 Bochum Germany
| | - Carsten Kötting
- Biospectroscopy, Center for Protein Diagnostics (PRODI), Ruhr University Bochum 44801 Bochum Germany
- Department of Biophysics, Ruhr University Bochum 44801 Bochum Germany
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Han CW, Jeong MS, Jang SB. Understand KRAS and the Quest for Anti-Cancer Drugs. Cells 2021; 10:cells10040842. [PMID: 33917906 PMCID: PMC8068306 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The KRAS oncogene is mutated in approximately ~30% of human cancers, and the targeting of KRAS has long been highlighted in many studies. Nevertheless, attempts to target KRAS directly have been ineffective. This review provides an overview of the structure of KRAS and its characteristic signaling pathways. Additionally, we examine the problems associated with currently available KRAS inhibitors and discuss promising avenues for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Woo Han
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Jangjeon-dong, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 46241, Korea;
| | - Mi Suk Jeong
- Institute for Plastic Information and Energy Materials and Sustainable Utilization of Photovoltaic Energy Research Center, Pusan National University, Jangjeon-dong, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 46241, Korea
- Correspondence: (M.S.J.); (S.B.J.); Tel.: +82-51-510-2523 (M.S.J. & S.B.J.)
| | - Se Bok Jang
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Jangjeon-dong, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 46241, Korea
- Correspondence: (M.S.J.); (S.B.J.); Tel.: +82-51-510-2523 (M.S.J. & S.B.J.)
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Jepson TA, Chung JK. Diffusion-based determination of protein homodimerization on reconstituted membrane surfaces. BMB Rep 2021. [PMID: 33408000 PMCID: PMC8016661 DOI: 10.5483/bmbrep.2021.54.3.228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The transient interactions between cellular components, particularly on membrane surfaces, are critical in the proper function of many biochemical reactions. For example, many signaling pathways involve dimerization, oligomerization, or other types of clustering of signaling proteins as a key step in the signaling cascade. However, it is often experimentally challenging to directly observe and characterize the molecular mechanisms such interactions—the greatest difficulty lies in the fact that living cells have an unknown number of background processes that may or may not participate in the molecular process of interest, and as a consequence, it is usually impossible to definitively correlate an observation to a well-defined cellular mechanism. One of the experimental methods that can quantitatively capture these interactions is through membrane reconstitution, whereby a lipid bilayer is fabricated to mimic the membrane environment, and the biological components of interest are systematically introduced, without unknown background processes. This configuration allows the extensive use of fluorescence techniques, particularly fluorescence fluctuation spectroscopy and single-molecule fluorescence microscopy. In this review, we describe how the equilibrium diffusion of two proteins, K-Ras4B and the PH domain of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (Btk), on fluid lipid membranes can be used to determine the kinetics of homodimerization reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler A. Jepson
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Jean K. Chung
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
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Van QN, Prakash P, Shrestha R, Balius TE, Turbyville TJ, Stephen AG. RAS Nanoclusters: Dynamic Signaling Platforms Amenable to Therapeutic Intervention. Biomolecules 2021; 11:377. [PMID: 33802474 PMCID: PMC8000715 DOI: 10.3390/biom11030377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
RAS proteins are mutated in approximately 20% of all cancers and are generally associated with poor clinical outcomes. RAS proteins are localized to the plasma membrane and function as molecular switches, turned on by partners that receive extracellular mitogenic signals. In the on-state, they activate intracellular signal transduction cascades. Membrane-bound RAS molecules segregate into multimers, known as nanoclusters. These nanoclusters, held together through weak protein-protein and protein-lipid associations, are highly dynamic and respond to cellular input signals and fluctuations in the local lipid environment. Disruption of RAS nanoclusters results in downregulation of RAS-mediated mitogenic signaling. In this review, we discuss the propensity of RAS proteins to display clustering behavior and the interfaces that are associated with these assemblies. Strategies to therapeutically disrupt nanocluster formation or the stabilization of signaling incompetent RAS complexes are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Andrew G. Stephen
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Inc., Frederick, MD 21702, USA; (Q.N.V.); (P.P.); (R.S.); (T.E.B.); (T.J.T.)
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Broyde J, Simpson DR, Murray D, Paull EO, Chu BW, Tagore S, Jones SJ, Griffin AT, Giorgi FM, Lachmann A, Jackson P, Sweet-Cordero EA, Honig B, Califano A. Oncoprotein-specific molecular interaction maps (SigMaps) for cancer network analyses. Nat Biotechnol 2021; 39:215-224. [PMID: 32929263 PMCID: PMC7878435 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-020-0652-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Tumor-specific elucidation of physical and functional oncoprotein interactions could improve tumorigenic mechanism characterization and therapeutic response prediction. Current interaction models and pathways, however, lack context specificity and are not oncoprotein specific. We introduce SigMaps as context-specific networks, comprising modulators, effectors and cognate binding-partners of a specific oncoprotein. SigMaps are reconstructed de novo by integrating diverse evidence sources-including protein structure, gene expression and mutational profiles-via the OncoSig machine learning framework. We first generated a KRAS-specific SigMap for lung adenocarcinoma, which recapitulated published KRAS biology, identified novel synthetic lethal proteins that were experimentally validated in three-dimensional spheroid models and established uncharacterized crosstalk with RAB/RHO. To show that OncoSig is generalizable, we first inferred SigMaps for the ten most mutated human oncoproteins and then for the full repertoire of 715 proteins in the COSMIC Cancer Gene Census. Taken together, these SigMaps show that the cell's regulatory and signaling architecture is highly tissue specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Broyde
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - David R Simpson
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Diana Murray
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Evan O Paull
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Brennan W Chu
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Somnath Tagore
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sunny J Jones
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Aaron T Griffin
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Federico M Giorgi
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alexander Lachmann
- Mount Sinai Center for Bioinformatics; Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Peter Jackson
- Baxter Laboratory, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - E Alejandro Sweet-Cordero
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Barry Honig
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
- Zuckerman Mind Brain and Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Andrea Califano
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
- JP Sulzberger Columbia Genome Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Motor Neuron Center and Columbia Initiative in Stem Cells, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
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Migliori AD, Patel LA, Neale C. The RIT1 C-terminus associates with lipid bilayers via charge complementarity. Comput Biol Chem 2021; 91:107437. [PMID: 33517146 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2021.107437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
RIT1 is a member of the Ras superfamily of small GTPases involved in regulation of cellular signaling. Mutations to RIT1 are involved in cancer and developmental disorders. Like many Ras subfamily members, RIT1 is localized to the plasma membrane. However, RIT1 lacks the C-terminal prenylation that helps many other subfamily members adhere to cellular membranes. We used molecular dynamics simulations to examine the mechanisms by which the C-terminal peptide (CTP) of RIT1 associates with lipid bilayers. We show that the CTP is unstructured and that its membrane interactions depend on lipid composition. While a 12-residue region of the CTP binds strongly to anionic bilayers containing phosphatidylserine lipids, the CTP termini fray from the membrane allowing for accommodation of the RIT1 globular domain at the membrane-water interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy D Migliori
- Center for Nonlinear Studies, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, 87545, United States; Theoretical Biology and Biophysics, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, 87545, United States
| | - Lara A Patel
- Center for Nonlinear Studies, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, 87545, United States; Theoretical Biology and Biophysics, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, 87545, United States
| | - Chris Neale
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, 87545, United States.
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Guzmán EA, Pitts TP, Tandberg KR, Winder PL, Wright AE. Discovery of Survivin Inhibitors Part 1: Screening the Harbor Branch Pure Compound Library. Mar Drugs 2021; 19:md19020073. [PMID: 33573152 PMCID: PMC7911841 DOI: 10.3390/md19020073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Survivin is a 16.5 KDa protein whose functions include promoting cellular mitosis, angiogenesis, and senescence as well as inhibiting apoptosis. Higher survivin expression is found in cancer tissues than normal tissues, and this expression correlates with disease progression and aggressiveness. Survivin has been validated as a clinical target for cancer. Small molecules are important antagonists of survivin levels in cancer cells. A structurally diverse library of genetically encoded small molecules (natural products) derived from marine plants, invertebrates, and microbes was screened for their ability to reduce expression levels of survivin in the DLD-1 colon adenocarcinoma and the A549 nonsmall cell lung carcinoma cell lines. This led to the identification of this novel activity for the known compounds eryloside E, ilicicolin H, tanzawaic acid A, and p-hydroxyphenopyrrozin. Both eryloside E and ilicicolin H showed the ability to reduce survivin expression in the low micromolar range against both cell lines.
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Wang Y, Shi Z, Zhang Y, Yan J, Yu W, Chen L. Oligomer β-amyloid Induces Hyperactivation of Ras to Impede NMDA Receptor-Dependent Long-Term Potentiation in Hippocampal CA1 of Mice. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:595360. [PMID: 33536910 PMCID: PMC7848859 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.595360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The activity of Ras, a small GTPase protein, is increased in brains with Alzheimer’s disease. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of oligomeric Aβ1-42 on the activation of Ras, and the involvement of the Ras hyperactivity in Aβ1-42-induced deficits in spatial cognition and hippocampal synaptic plasticity. Herein, we show that intracerebroventricular injection of Aβ1-42 in mice (Aβ-mice) enhanced hippocampal Ras activation and expression, while 60 min incubation of hippocampal slices in Aβ1-42 (Aβ-slices) only elevated Ras activity. Aβ-mice showed deficits in spatial cognition and NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-dependent long-term potentiation (LTP) in hippocampal CA1, but basal synaptic transmission was enhanced. The above effects of Aβ1-42 were corrected by the Ras inhibitor farnesylthiosalicylic acid (FTS). ERK2 phosphorylation increased, and Src phosphorylation decreased in Aβ-mice and Aβ1-42-slices. Both were corrected by FTS. In CA1 pyramidal cells of Aβ1-42-slices, the response of AMPA receptor and phosphorylation of GluR1 were enhanced with dependence on Ras activation rather than ERK signaling. In contrast, NMDA receptor (NMDAR) function and GluN2A/2B phosphorylation were downregulated in Aβ1-42-slices, which was recovered by application of FTS or the Src activator ouabain, and mimicked in control slices treated with the Src inhibitor PP2. The administration of PP2 impaired the spatial cognition and LTP induction in control mice and FTS-treated Aβ-mice. The treatment of Aβ-mice with ouabain rescued Aβ-impaired spatial cognition and LTP. Overall, the results indicate that the oligomeric Aβ1-42 hyperactivates Ras and thereby causes the downregulation of Src which impedes NMDAR-dependent LTP induction resulting in cognitive deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya Wang
- Department of Physiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhaochun Shi
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yajie Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jun Yan
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenfeng Yu
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic Diseases of Education Ministry, Guizhou Medical University, Guizhou, China
| | - Ling Chen
- Department of Physiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Sun H, Zhang B, Li H. The Roles of Frequently Mutated Genes of Pancreatic Cancer in Regulation of Tumor Microenvironment. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2020; 19:1533033820920969. [PMID: 32372692 PMCID: PMC7225789 DOI: 10.1177/1533033820920969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma has extremely high malignancy and patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma have dismal prognosis. The failure of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma treatment is largely due to the tumor microenvironment, which is featured by ample stromal cells and complicated extracellular matrix. Recent genomic analysis revealed that pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma harbors frequently mutated genes including KRAS, TP53, CDKN2A, and SMAD4, which can widely alter cellular processes and behaviors. As shown by accumulating studies, these mutant genes may also change tumor microenvironment, which in turn affects pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma progression. In this review, we summarize the role of such genetic mutations in tumor microenvironment regulation and potential mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongzhi Sun
- Department of General Surgery, Shenzhen Luohu People's Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Shenzhen Luohu People's Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Haijun Li
- Department of General Surgery, Shenzhen Luohu People's Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
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Lam CKC, Truong K. Engineering a Synthesis-Friendly Constitutive Promoter for Mammalian Cell Expression. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:2625-2631. [PMID: 32927951 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.0c00310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Since cell-based therapies require the constitutive and stable expression of therapeutic transgenes, lentiviral infection is commonly used to integrate gene material regulated by standard constitutive promoters. Unfortunately, none of the standard or synthetic constitutive promoters can be easily synthesized at low cost due to the presence of repeated subsequences. Thus, in this paper, we designed a synthetic constitutive promoter (named SFCp) that can drive the expression of fluorescent proteins that subsequently trafficked to intended subcellular localizations and the expression of synthetic proteins that rewired the cellular response of Ca2+ to cell morphology changes. Furthermore, SFCp can be used to avoid sequence homology that can theoretically result in loss of genetic material by homologous recombination in tandem constructs. As gene synthesis becomes an indispensable tool in the arsenal of synthetic biology, it is essential to develop a toolbox of gene synthesis friendly components for cell engineering such as constitutive promoters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chee Ka Candice Lam
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Kevin Truong
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada
- Edward S. Rogers, Sr. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, 10 King’s College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G4, Canada
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Kichuk TC, Carrasco-López C, Avalos JL. Lights up on organelles: Optogenetic tools to control subcellular structure and organization. WIREs Mech Dis 2020; 13:e1500. [PMID: 32715616 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Since the neurobiological inception of optogenetics, light-controlled molecular perturbations have been applied in many scientific disciplines to both manipulate and observe cellular function. Proteins exhibiting light-sensitive conformational changes provide researchers with avenues for spatiotemporal control over the cellular environment and serve as valuable alternatives to chemically inducible systems. Optogenetic approaches have been developed to target proteins to specific subcellular compartments, allowing for the manipulation of nuclear translocation and plasma membrane morphology. Additionally, these tools have been harnessed for molecular interrogation of organelle function, location, and dynamics. Optogenetic approaches offer novel ways to answer fundamental biological questions and to improve the efficiency of bioengineered cell factories by controlling the assembly of synthetic organelles. This review first provides a summary of available optogenetic systems with an emphasis on their organelle-specific utility. It then explores the strategies employed for organelle targeting and concludes by discussing our perspective on the future of optogenetics to control subcellular structure and organization. This article is categorized under: Metabolic Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Therese C Kichuk
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - César Carrasco-López
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - José L Avalos
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA.,Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
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50
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ERK signalling: a master regulator of cell behaviour, life and fate. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2020; 21:607-632. [PMID: 32576977 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-020-0255-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 464] [Impact Index Per Article: 116.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The proteins extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 (ERK1) and ERK2 are the downstream components of a phosphorelay pathway that conveys growth and mitogenic signals largely channelled by the small RAS GTPases. By phosphorylating widely diverse substrates, ERK proteins govern a variety of evolutionarily conserved cellular processes in metazoans, the dysregulation of which contributes to the cause of distinct human diseases. The mechanisms underlying the regulation of ERK1 and ERK2, their mode of action and their impact on the development and homeostasis of various organisms have been the focus of much attention for nearly three decades. In this Review, we discuss the current understanding of this important class of kinases. We begin with a brief overview of the structure, regulation, substrate recognition and subcellular localization of ERK1 and ERK2. We then systematically discuss how ERK signalling regulates six fundamental cellular processes in response to extracellular cues. These processes are cell proliferation, cell survival, cell growth, cell metabolism, cell migration and cell differentiation.
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