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Nussinov R, Tsai CJ, Jang H, Korcsmáros T, Csermely P. Oncogenic KRAS signaling and YAP1/β-catenin: Similar cell cycle control in tumor initiation. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2016; 58:79-85. [PMID: 27058752 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2016.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2016] [Accepted: 04/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Why are YAP1 and c-Myc often overexpressed (or activated) in KRAS-driven cancers and drug resistance? Here, we propose that there are two independent pathways in tumor proliferation: one includes MAPK/ERK and PI3K/A kt/mTOR; and the other consists of pathways leading to the expression (or activation) of YAP1 and c-Myc. KRAS contributes through the first. MYC is regulated by e.g. β-catenin, Notch and Hedgehog. We propose that YAP1 and ERK accomplish similar roles in cell cycle control, as do β-catenin and PI3K. This point is compelling, since the question of how YAP1 rescues K-Ras or B-Raf ablation has recently captured much attention, as well as the mechanism of resistance to PI3K inhibitors. The similarity in cell cycle actions of β-catenin and PI3K can also clarify the increased aggressiveness of lung cancer when both K-Ras and β-catenin operate. Thus, we propose that the two pathways can substitute one another - or together amplify each other - in promoting proliferation. This new understanding of the independence and correspondence of the two pathways in cancer - MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt/mTOR; and YAP1 and c-Myc - provide a coherent and significant picture of signaling-driven oncogenic proliferation and may help in judicious, pathway-based drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Nussinov
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
| | - Chung-Jung Tsai
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Hyunbum Jang
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Tamás Korcsmáros
- Gut Health and Food Safety Programme, Institute of Food Research, and TGAC, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UA, UK; TGAC, The Genome Analysis Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Peter Csermely
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Semmelweis University, P.O. Box 2, H-1428 Budapest, Hungary
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