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Li Y, Wang B, Yang W, Ma F, Zou J, Li K, Tan S, Feng J, Wang Y, Qin Z, Chen Z, Ding C. Longitudinal plasma proteome profiling reveals the diversity of biomarkers for diagnosis and cetuximab therapy response of colorectal cancer. Nat Commun 2024; 15:980. [PMID: 38302471 PMCID: PMC10834432 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44911-1] [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: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Cetuximab therapy is the major treatment for colorectal cancer (CRC), but drug resistance limits its effectiveness. Here, we perform longitudinal and deep proteomic profiling of 641 plasma samples originated from 147 CRC patients (CRCs) undergoing cetuximab therapy with multi-course treatment, and 90 healthy controls (HCs). COL12A1, THBS2, S100A8, and S100A9 are screened as potential proteins to distinguish CRCs from HCs both in plasma and tissue validation cohorts. We identify the potential biomarkers (RRAS2, MMP8, FBLN1, RPTOR, and IMPDH2) for the initial response prediction. In a longitudinal setting, we identify two clusters with distinct fluctuations and construct the model with high accuracy to predict the longitudinal response, further validated in the independent cohort. This study reveals the heterogeneity of different biomarkers for tumor diagnosis, the initial and longitudinal response prediction respectively in the first course and multi-course cetuximab treatment, may ultimately be useful in monitoring and intervention strategies for CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Human Phenome Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Human Phenome Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wentao Yang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fahan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Human Phenome Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianling Zou
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kai Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Human Phenome Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Subei Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Human Phenome Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinwen Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Human Phenome Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunzhi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Human Phenome Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhaoyu Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Human Phenome Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiyu Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Chen Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Human Phenome Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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Zeng L, Wang J, Zhu H, Huang Y, Deng Y, Wei P, Nie J, Tang B, Chen A, Zhu S. The RRAS2 pathogenic variant (c.67G>T; p. Gly23Cys) produces Noonan syndrome with embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2024; 12:e2313. [PMID: 37942564 PMCID: PMC10767593 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.2313] [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: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Noonan syndrome (NS) due to the RRAS2 gene, the pathogenic variant is an extremely rare RASopathies. Our objective was to identify the potential site of RRAS2, combined with the literature review, to find the correlation between clinical phenotype and genotype. De novo missense mutations affect different aspects of the RRAS2 function, leading to hyperactivation of the RAS-MAPK signaling cascade. METHODS Conventional G-banding was used to analyze the chromosome karyotype of the patient. Copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq) was used to detect the chromosomal gene microstructure of the patient and her parents. The exomes of the patient and her parents were sequenced using trio-based whole exome sequencing (trio-WES) technology. The candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing. The pathogenicity of the variant was predicted with a variety of bioinformatics tools. RESULTS Chromosome analysis of the proband revealed 46, XX, and no abnormality was found by CNV-seq. After sequencing and bioinformatics filtering, the variant of RRAS2(c.67G>T; p. Gly23Cys) was found in the proband, while the mutation was absent in her parents. To the best of our knowledge, our patient was with the typical Noonan syndrome, such as short stature, facial dysmorphism, and developmental delay. Furthermore, our study is the first case of NS with embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) caused by the RRAS2 gene mutation reported in China. CONCLUSIONS Our investigations suggested that the heterozygous missense of RRAS2 may be a potential causal variant in a rare cause of Noonan syndrome, expanding our understanding of the causally relevant mutations for this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Zeng
- Department of Medical Genetics and Prenatal DiagnosisSichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care HospitalChengduChina
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Medical Genetics and Prenatal DiagnosisSichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care HospitalChengduChina
| | - Hui Zhu
- Department of PediatricsSichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care HospitalChengduChina
| | - Yu Huang
- Department of PediatricsSichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care HospitalChengduChina
| | - Yi Deng
- Department of Medical Genetics and Prenatal DiagnosisSichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care HospitalChengduChina
| | - Ping Wei
- Department of Medical Genetics and Prenatal DiagnosisSichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care HospitalChengduChina
| | - Jing Nie
- Department of Children's Health CareSichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care HospitalChengduChina
| | - Bei Tang
- Department of UltrasoundSichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care HospitalChengduChina
| | - Ai Chen
- Department of PediatricsSichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care HospitalChengduChina
| | - Shuyao Zhu
- Department of PediatricsSichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care HospitalChengduChina
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Hortal AM, Villanueva A, Arellano I, Prieto C, Mendoza P, Bustelo XR, Alarcón B. Mice Overexpressing Wild-Type RRAS2 Are a Novel Model for Preclinical Testing of Anti-Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Therapies. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5817. [PMID: 38136362 PMCID: PMC10742337 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245817] [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: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) is the most common type of leukemia in the Western world. Mutation in different genes, such as TP53 and ATM, and deletions at specific chromosomic regions, among which are 11q or 17p, have been described to be associated to worse disease prognosis. Recent research from our group has demonstrated that, contrary to what is the usual cancer development process through missense mutations, B-CLL is driven by the overexpression of the small GTPase RRAS2 in its wild-type form without activating mutations. Some mouse models of this disease have been developed to date and are commonly used in B-CLL research, but they present different disadvantages such as the long waiting period until the leukemia fully develops, the need to do cell engraftment or, in some cases, the fact that the model does not recapitulate the alterations found in human patients. We have recently described Rosa26-RRAS2fl/flxmb1-Cre as a new mouse model of B-CLL with a full penetrance of the disease. In this work, we have validated this mouse model as a novel tool for the development of new therapies for B-CLL, by testing two of the most broadly applied targeted agents: ibrutinib and venetoclax. This also opens the door to new targeted agents against R-RAS2 itself, an approach not yet explored in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro M. Hortal
- Immune System Development and Function Program, Centro Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.V.); (I.A.); (C.P.); (P.M.)
| | - Ana Villanueva
- Immune System Development and Function Program, Centro Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.V.); (I.A.); (C.P.); (P.M.)
| | - Irene Arellano
- Immune System Development and Function Program, Centro Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.V.); (I.A.); (C.P.); (P.M.)
| | - Cristina Prieto
- Immune System Development and Function Program, Centro Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.V.); (I.A.); (C.P.); (P.M.)
| | - Pilar Mendoza
- Immune System Development and Function Program, Centro Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.V.); (I.A.); (C.P.); (P.M.)
| | - Xosé R. Bustelo
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
| | - Balbino Alarcón
- Immune System Development and Function Program, Centro Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.V.); (I.A.); (C.P.); (P.M.)
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4
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Lacuna M, Hortal AM, Cifuentes C, Gonzalo T, Alcoceba M, Bastos M, Bustelo XR, González M, Alarcón B. Characterization of Three Somatic Mutations in the 3'UTR of RRAS2 and Their Inverse Correlation with Lymphocytosis in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Cells 2023; 12:2687. [PMID: 38067115 PMCID: PMC10705375 DOI: 10.3390/cells12232687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a hematologic malignancy characterized by progressive accumulation of a rare population of CD5+ B-lymphocytes in peripheral blood, bone marrow, and lymphoid tissues. CLL exhibits remarkable clinical heterogeneity, with some patients presenting with indolent disease and others progressing rapidly to aggressive CLL. The significant heterogeneity of CLL underscores the importance of identifying novel prognostic markers. Recently, the RAS-related gene RRAS2 has emerged as both a driver oncogene and a potential marker for CLL progression, with higher RRAS2 expression associated with poorer disease prognosis. Although missense somatic mutations in the coding sequence of RRAS2 have not been described in CLL, this study reports the frequent detection of three somatic mutations in the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) affecting positions +26, +53, and +180 downstream of the stop codon in the mRNA. An inverse relationship was observed between these three somatic mutations and RRAS2 mRNA expression, which correlated with lower blood lymphocytosis. These findings highlight the importance of RRAS2 overexpression in CLL development and prognosis and point to somatic mutations in its 3'UTR as novel mechanistic clues. Our results may contribute to the development of targeted therapeutic strategies and improved risk stratification for CLL patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Lacuna
- Immune System Development and Function Program, Centro Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (M.L.); (A.M.H.); (C.C.); (T.G.)
| | - Alejandro M. Hortal
- Immune System Development and Function Program, Centro Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (M.L.); (A.M.H.); (C.C.); (T.G.)
| | - Claudia Cifuentes
- Immune System Development and Function Program, Centro Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (M.L.); (A.M.H.); (C.C.); (T.G.)
| | - Tania Gonzalo
- Immune System Development and Function Program, Centro Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (M.L.); (A.M.H.); (C.C.); (T.G.)
| | - Miguel Alcoceba
- Departamento de Hematología, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca (HUS-IBSAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (M.A.); (M.B.); (M.G.)
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer, CSIC, Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
| | - Miguel Bastos
- Departamento de Hematología, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca (HUS-IBSAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (M.A.); (M.B.); (M.G.)
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer, CSIC, Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
| | - Xosé R. Bustelo
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer, CSIC, Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
| | - Marcos González
- Departamento de Hematología, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca (HUS-IBSAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (M.A.); (M.B.); (M.G.)
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer, CSIC, Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
| | - Balbino Alarcón
- Immune System Development and Function Program, Centro Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (M.L.); (A.M.H.); (C.C.); (T.G.)
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5
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An Optimized Single Nucleotide Polymorphism-Based Detection Method Suggests That Allelic Variants in the 3' Untranslated Region of RRAS2 Correlate with Treatment Response in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030644. [PMID: 36765602 PMCID: PMC9913312 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Unlike classical RAS genes, oncogenic mutations on RRAS2 are seldomly found in human cancer. By contrast, RRAS2 is frequently found overexpressed in a number of human tumors, including B and T cell lymphomas, breast, gastric, head and neck cancers. In this regard, we have recently shown that overexpression of wild-type RRAS2 drives the formation of both chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and breast cancer in mice. In support for the relevance of overexpression of wild type RRAS2 in human cancer, we have found that RRAS2 expression is influenced by the presence of a specific single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) located in the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of the RRAS2 mRNA. Perhaps more importantly, the presence of the alternate C, rather than the G allele, at the RRAS2 SNP designated as rs8570 is also associated with worse patient prognosis in CLL. This indicates that the detection of this SNP allelic variants can be informative to predict RRAS2 expression levels and disease long-term evolution in patients. Here, we describe a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method that facilitates the rapid and easy determination of G and C allelic variants of the SNP. Using this approach, we confirm that the C allelic variant is associated with higher expression levels of RRAS2 transcripts and poor patient prognosis. However, we have also found that expression of the C allelic variants correlates with better response to ibrutinib, a Bruton kinase inhibitor commonly used in CLL treatments. This suggests that this method for detecting the RRAS2 rs8570 SNP might be a useful as a tool to predict both patient prognosis and response to targeted therapy in CLL.
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Clavaín L, Fernández-Pisonero I, Movilla N, Lorenzo-Martín LF, Nieto B, Abad A, García-Navas R, Llorente-González C, Sánchez-Martín M, Vicente-Manzanares M, Santos E, Alarcón B, García-Aznar JM, Dosil M, Bustelo XR. Characterization of mutant versions of the R-RAS2/TC21 GTPase found in tumors. Oncogene 2023; 42:389-405. [PMID: 36476833 PMCID: PMC9883167 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02563-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The R-RAS2 GTP hydrolase (GTPase) (also known as TC21) has been traditionally considered quite similar to classical RAS proteins at the regulatory and signaling levels. Recently, a long-tail hotspot mutation targeting the R-RAS2/TC21 Gln72 residue (Q72L) was identified as a potent oncogenic driver. Additional point mutations were also found in other tumors at low frequencies. Despite this, little information is available regarding the transforming role of these mutant versions and their relevance for the tumorigenic properties of already-transformed cancer cells. Here, we report that many of the RRAS2 mutations found in human cancers are highly transforming when expressed in immortalized cell lines. Moreover, the expression of endogenous R-RAS2Q72L is important for maintaining optimal levels of PI3K and ERK activities as well as for the adhesion, invasiveness, proliferation, and mitochondrial respiration of ovarian and breast cancer cell lines. Endogenous R-RAS2Q72L also regulates gene expression programs linked to both cell adhesion and inflammatory/immune-related responses. Endogenous R-RAS2Q72L is also quite relevant for the in vivo tumorigenic activity of these cells. This dependency is observed even though these cancer cell lines bear concurrent gain-of-function mutations in genes encoding RAS signaling elements. Finally, we show that endogenous R-RAS2, unlike the case of classical RAS proteins, specifically localizes in focal adhesions. Collectively, these results indicate that gain-of-function mutations of R-RAS2/TC21 play roles in tumor initiation and maintenance that are not fully redundant with those regulated by classical RAS oncoproteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Clavaín
- grid.11762.330000 0001 2180 1817Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, CSIC and University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain ,grid.11762.330000 0001 2180 1817Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC and University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain ,grid.11762.330000 0001 2180 1817Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), CSIC and University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Isabel Fernández-Pisonero
- grid.11762.330000 0001 2180 1817Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, CSIC and University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain ,grid.11762.330000 0001 2180 1817Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC and University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain ,grid.11762.330000 0001 2180 1817Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), CSIC and University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Nieves Movilla
- grid.11205.370000 0001 2152 8769Aragon Institute of Engineering Research, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - L. Francisco Lorenzo-Martín
- grid.11762.330000 0001 2180 1817Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, CSIC and University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain ,grid.11762.330000 0001 2180 1817Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC and University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain ,grid.11762.330000 0001 2180 1817Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), CSIC and University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Blanca Nieto
- grid.11762.330000 0001 2180 1817Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, CSIC and University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain ,grid.11762.330000 0001 2180 1817Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC and University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Antonio Abad
- grid.11762.330000 0001 2180 1817Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, CSIC and University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain ,grid.11762.330000 0001 2180 1817Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC and University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain ,grid.11762.330000 0001 2180 1817Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), CSIC and University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Rósula García-Navas
- grid.11762.330000 0001 2180 1817Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, CSIC and University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain ,grid.11762.330000 0001 2180 1817Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC and University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain ,grid.11762.330000 0001 2180 1817Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), CSIC and University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Clara Llorente-González
- grid.11762.330000 0001 2180 1817Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, CSIC and University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain ,grid.11762.330000 0001 2180 1817Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC and University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Manuel Sánchez-Martín
- grid.11762.330000 0001 2180 1817Transgenesis Facility and Nucleus Platform for Research Services, University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Miguel Vicente-Manzanares
- grid.11762.330000 0001 2180 1817Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, CSIC and University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain ,grid.11762.330000 0001 2180 1817Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC and University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Eugenio Santos
- grid.11762.330000 0001 2180 1817Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, CSIC and University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain ,grid.11762.330000 0001 2180 1817Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC and University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain ,grid.11762.330000 0001 2180 1817Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), CSIC and University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Balbino Alarcón
- grid.5515.40000000119578126Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - José M. García-Aznar
- grid.11205.370000 0001 2152 8769Aragon Institute of Engineering Research, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Mercedes Dosil
- grid.11762.330000 0001 2180 1817Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, CSIC and University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain ,grid.11762.330000 0001 2180 1817Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC and University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain ,grid.11762.330000 0001 2180 1817Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), CSIC and University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Xosé R. Bustelo
- grid.11762.330000 0001 2180 1817Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, CSIC and University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain ,grid.11762.330000 0001 2180 1817Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC and University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain ,grid.11762.330000 0001 2180 1817Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), CSIC and University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
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A hotspot mutation targeting the R-RAS2 GTPase acts as a potent oncogenic driver in a wide spectrum of tumors. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110522. [PMID: 35294890 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A missense change in RRAS2 (Gln72 to Leu), analogous to the Gln61-to-Leu mutation of RAS oncoproteins, has been identified as a long-tail hotspot mutation in cancer and Noonan syndrome. However, the relevance of this mutation for in vivo tumorigenesis remains understudied. Here we show, using an inducible knockin mouse model, that R-Ras2Q72L triggers rapid development of a wide spectrum of tumors when somatically expressed in adult tissues. These tumors show limited overlap with those originated by classical Ras oncogenes. R-Ras2Q72L-driven tumors can be classified into different subtypes according to therapeutic susceptibility. Importantly, the most relevant R-Ras2Q72L-driven tumors are dependent on mTORC1 but independent of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-, MEK-, and Ral guanosine diphosphate (GDP) dissociation stimulator. This pharmacological vulnerability is due to the extensive rewiring by R-Ras2Q72L of pathways that orthogonally stimulate mTORC1 signaling. These findings demonstrate that RRAS2Q72L is a bona fide oncogenic driver and unveil therapeutic strategies for patients with cancer and Noonan syndrome bearing RRAS2 mutations.
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Hortal AM, Oeste CL, Cifuentes C, Alcoceba M, Fernández-Pisonero I, Clavaín L, Tercero R, Mendoza P, Domínguez V, García-Flores M, Pintado B, Abia D, García-Macías C, Navarro-Bailón A, Bustelo XR, González M, Alarcón B. Overexpression of wild type RRAS2, without oncogenic mutations, drives chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Mol Cancer 2022; 21:35. [PMID: 35120522 PMCID: PMC8815240 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01496-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most frequent, and still incurable, form of leukemia in the Western World. It is widely accepted that cancer results from an evolutionary process shaped by the acquisition of driver mutations which confer selective growth advantage to cells that harbor them. Clear examples are missense mutations in classic RAS genes (KRAS, HRAS and NRAS) that underlie the development of approximately 13% of human cancers. Although autonomous B cell antigen receptor (BCR) signaling is involved and mutations in many tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes have been identified, an oncogenic driver gene has not still been identified for CLL. Methods Conditional knock-in mice were generated to overexpress wild type RRAS2 and prove its driver role. RT-qPCR analysis of a human CLL sample cohort was carried out to measure RRAS2 transcriptional expression. Sanger DNA sequencing was used to identify a SNP in the 3’UTR region of RRAS2 in human CLL samples. RNAseq of murine CLL was carried out to identify activated pathways, molecular mechanisms and to pinpoint somatic mutations accompanying RRAS2 overexpression. Flow cytometry was used for phenotypic characterization and shRNA techniques to knockdown RRAS2 expression in human CLL. Results RRAS2 mRNA is found overexpressed in its wild type form in 82% of the human CLL samples analyzed (n = 178, mean and median = 5-fold) as well as in the explored metadata. A single nucleotide polymorphism (rs8570) in the 3’UTR of the RRAS2 mRNA has been identified in CLL patients, linking higher expression of RRAS2 with more aggressive disease. Deliberate overexpression of wild type RRAS2 in mice, but not an oncogenic Q72L mutation in the coding sequence, provokes the development of CLL. Overexpression of wild type RRAS2 in mice is accompanied by a strong convergent selection of somatic mutations in genes that have been identified in human CLL. R-RAS2 protein is physically bound to the BCR and mediates BCR signals in CLL. Conclusions The results indicate that overexpression of wild type RRAS2 is behind the development of CLL. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12943-022-01496-x.
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Weinstock NI, Sadler L. The RRAS2 pathogenic variant p.Q72L produces severe Noonan syndrome with hydrocephalus: A case report. Am J Med Genet A 2021; 188:364-368. [PMID: 34648682 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.62523] [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: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Noonan syndrome (NS) is the most common disease among RASopathies, characterized by short stature, distinctive facial features, congenital cardiac defects, and variable developmental delay. NS rarely presents with overt neurologic manifestations, in particular hydrocephalus. Recent evidence suggests that pathogenic variants in the gene RRAS2 are a rare cause of NS. Specifically, an RRAS2 pathogenic variant, p.Q72L, may be particularly severe, manifesting with lethal neurologic findings. Here, we report a NS patient with documented p.Q72L variant in RRAS2. The patient was identified in utero to have hydrocephalus and a Dandy Walker malformation. Postnatal examination revealed multiple dysmorphic features, some reminiscent of NS including low-set posteriorly rotated ears, redundant nuchal skin, widely spaced nipples, and cryptorchidism. Despite suspicion of NS, results of a 14-gene Noonan syndrome panel (Invitae) were negative. Follow-up rapid whole exome sequencing revealed a de novo p.Q72L variant in RRAS2, a poorly studied gene recently identified as a cause of NS. The patient herein reported brings to three the total number of cases reported with the RRAS2 p.Q72L pathogenic variant. All three documented patients presented with a particularly fulminant course of NS, which included hydrocephalus. RRAS2, specifically p.Q72L, should be considered in severe NS cases with neurologic manifestations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadav I Weinstock
- Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Oishei Children's Hospital, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Laurie Sadler
- Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Oishei Children's Hospital, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Buffalo, New York, USA
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10
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Weber SM, Brossier NM, Prechtl A, Barnes S, Wilson LS, Brosius SN, Longo JF, Carroll SL. R-Ras subfamily proteins elicit distinct physiologic effects and phosphoproteome alterations in neurofibromin-null MPNST cells. Cell Commun Signal 2021; 19:95. [PMID: 34530870 PMCID: PMC8447793 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-021-00773-4] [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: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Loss of the Ras GTPase-activating protein neurofibromin promotes nervous system tumor pathogenesis in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Neurofibromin loss potentially hyperactivates classic Ras (H-Ras, N-Ras, K-Ras), M-Ras, and R-Ras (R-Ras, R-Ras2/TC21) subfamily proteins. We have shown that classic Ras proteins promote proliferation and survival, but not migration, in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) cells. However, it is unclear whether R-Ras, R-Ras2 and M-Ras are expressed and hyperactivated in MPNSTs and, if so, whether they contribute to MPNST pathogenesis. We assessed the expression and activation of these proteins in MPNST cells and inhibited them to determine the effect this had on proliferation, migration, invasion, survival and the phosphoproteome. Methods NF1-associated (ST88-14, 90-8, NMS2, NMS-PC, S462, T265-2c) and sporadic (STS-26T, YST-1) MPNST lines were used. Cells were transfected with doxycycline-inducible vectors expressing either a pan-inhibitor of the R-Ras subfamily [dominant negative (DN) R-Ras] or enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP). Methodologies used included immunoblotting, immunocytochemistry, PCR, Transwell migration, 3H-thymidine incorporation, calcein cleavage assays and shRNA knockdowns. Proteins in cells with or without DN R-Ras expression were differentially labeled with SILAC and mass spectrometry was used to identify phosphoproteins and determine their relative quantities in the presence and absence of DN R-Ras. Validation of R-Ras and R-Ras2 action and R-Ras regulated networks was performed using genetic and/or pharmacologic approaches. Results R-Ras2 was uniformly expressed in MPNST cells, with R-Ras present in a major subset. Both proteins were activated in neurofibromin-null MPNST cells. Consistent with classical Ras inhibition, DN R-Ras and R-Ras2 knockdown inhibited proliferation. However, DN R-Ras inhibition impaired migration and invasion but not survival. Mass spectrometry-based phosphoproteomics identified thirteen protein networks distinctly regulated by DN R-Ras, including multiple networks regulating cellular movement and morphology. ROCK1 was a prominent mediator in these networks. DN R-Ras expression and RRAS and RRAS2 knockdown inhibited migration and ROCK1 phosphorylation; ROCK1 inhibition similarly impaired migration and invasion, altered cellular morphology and triggered the accumulation of large intracellular vesicles. Conclusions R-Ras proteins function distinctly from classic Ras proteins by regulating distinct signaling pathways that promote MPNST tumorigenesis by mediating migration and invasion. Plain English Summary Mutations of the NF1 gene potentially results in the activation of multiple Ras proteins, which are key regulators of many biologic effects. The protein encoded by the NF1 gene, neurofibromin, acts as an inhibitor of both classic Ras and R-Ras proteins; loss of neurofibromin could cause these Ras proteins to become persistently active, leading to the development of cancer. We have previously shown that three related Ras proteins (the classic Ras proteins) are highly activated in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) cells with neurofibromin loss and that they drive cancer cell proliferation and survival by activating multiple cellular signaling pathways. Here, we examined the expression, activation and action of R-Ras proteins in MPNST cells that have lost neurofibromin. Both R-Ras and R-Ras2 are expressed in MPNST cells and activated. Inhibition of R-Ras action inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion but not survival. We examined the activation of cytoplasmic signaling pathways in the presence and absence of R-Ras signaling and found that R-Ras proteins regulated 13 signaling pathways distinct from those regulated by classic Ras proteins. Closer study of an R-Ras regulated pathway containing the signaling protein ROCK1 showed that inhibition of either R-Ras, R-Ras2 or ROCK1 similarly impaired cellular migration and invasion and altered cellular morphology. Inhibition of R-Ras/R-Ras2 and ROCK1 signaling also triggered the accumulation of abnormal intracellular vesicles, indicating that these signaling molecules regulate the movement of proteins and other molecules in the cellular interior. Video Abstract
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Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12964-021-00773-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon M Weber
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (SMW, AP, JFL, SLC), MUSC Medical Scientist Training Program (SMW), Medical University of South Carolina, 171 Ashley Avenue, MSC 908, Charleston, SC, 29425-9080, USA.,Departments of Pathology (NMB, SNB, SLC), Pharmacology and Toxicology (SB, LSW), UAB Medical Scientist Training Program (NMB, SNB), Birmingham, USA.,The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Nicole M Brossier
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (SMW, AP, JFL, SLC), MUSC Medical Scientist Training Program (SMW), Medical University of South Carolina, 171 Ashley Avenue, MSC 908, Charleston, SC, 29425-9080, USA.,Departments of Pathology (NMB, SNB, SLC), Pharmacology and Toxicology (SB, LSW), UAB Medical Scientist Training Program (NMB, SNB), Birmingham, USA.,The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, St. Louis Children's Hospital, St. Louis, USA
| | - Amanda Prechtl
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (SMW, AP, JFL, SLC), MUSC Medical Scientist Training Program (SMW), Medical University of South Carolina, 171 Ashley Avenue, MSC 908, Charleston, SC, 29425-9080, USA.,Departments of Pathology (NMB, SNB, SLC), Pharmacology and Toxicology (SB, LSW), UAB Medical Scientist Training Program (NMB, SNB), Birmingham, USA.,The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Stephen Barnes
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (SMW, AP, JFL, SLC), MUSC Medical Scientist Training Program (SMW), Medical University of South Carolina, 171 Ashley Avenue, MSC 908, Charleston, SC, 29425-9080, USA.,Departments of Pathology (NMB, SNB, SLC), Pharmacology and Toxicology (SB, LSW), UAB Medical Scientist Training Program (NMB, SNB), Birmingham, USA.,The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Landon S Wilson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (SMW, AP, JFL, SLC), MUSC Medical Scientist Training Program (SMW), Medical University of South Carolina, 171 Ashley Avenue, MSC 908, Charleston, SC, 29425-9080, USA.,Departments of Pathology (NMB, SNB, SLC), Pharmacology and Toxicology (SB, LSW), UAB Medical Scientist Training Program (NMB, SNB), Birmingham, USA.,The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Stephanie N Brosius
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (SMW, AP, JFL, SLC), MUSC Medical Scientist Training Program (SMW), Medical University of South Carolina, 171 Ashley Avenue, MSC 908, Charleston, SC, 29425-9080, USA.,Departments of Pathology (NMB, SNB, SLC), Pharmacology and Toxicology (SB, LSW), UAB Medical Scientist Training Program (NMB, SNB), Birmingham, USA.,The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.,Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.,Division of Child Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Jody Fromm Longo
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (SMW, AP, JFL, SLC), MUSC Medical Scientist Training Program (SMW), Medical University of South Carolina, 171 Ashley Avenue, MSC 908, Charleston, SC, 29425-9080, USA.,Departments of Pathology (NMB, SNB, SLC), Pharmacology and Toxicology (SB, LSW), UAB Medical Scientist Training Program (NMB, SNB), Birmingham, USA.,The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Steven L Carroll
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (SMW, AP, JFL, SLC), MUSC Medical Scientist Training Program (SMW), Medical University of South Carolina, 171 Ashley Avenue, MSC 908, Charleston, SC, 29425-9080, USA. .,Departments of Pathology (NMB, SNB, SLC), Pharmacology and Toxicology (SB, LSW), UAB Medical Scientist Training Program (NMB, SNB), Birmingham, USA. .,The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
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Weber SM, Carroll SL. The Role of R-Ras Proteins in Normal and Pathologic Migration and Morphologic Change. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2021; 191:1499-1510. [PMID: 34111428 PMCID: PMC8420862 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2021.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The contributions that the R-Ras subfamily [R-Ras, R-Ras2/teratocarcinoma 21 (TC21), and M-Ras] of small GTP-binding proteins make to normal and aberrant cellular functions have historically been poorly understood. However, this has begun to change with the realization that all three R-Ras subfamily members are occasionally mutated in Noonan syndrome (NS), a RASopathy characterized by the development of hematopoietic neoplasms and abnormalities affecting the immune, cardiovascular, and nervous systems. Consistent with the abnormalities seen in NS, a host of new studies have implicated R-Ras proteins in physiological and pathologic changes in cellular morphology, adhesion, and migration in the cardiovascular, immune, and nervous systems. These changes include regulating the migration and homing of mature and immature immune cells, vascular stabilization, clotting, and axonal and dendritic outgrowth during nervous system development. Dysregulated R-Ras signaling has also been linked to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease, intellectual disabilities, and human cancers. This review discusses the structure and regulation of R-Ras proteins and our current understanding of the signaling pathways that they regulate. It explores the phenotype of NS patients and their implications for the R-Ras subfamily functions. Next, it covers recent discoveries regarding physiological and pathologic R-Ras functions in key organ systems. Finally, it discusses how R-Ras signaling is dysregulated in cancers and mechanisms by which this may promote neoplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon M Weber
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Steven L Carroll
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.
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12
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Endo T. M-Ras is Muscle-Ras, Moderate-Ras, Mineral-Ras, Migration-Ras, and Many More-Ras. Exp Cell Res 2020; 397:112342. [PMID: 33130177 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2020.112342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The Ras family of small GTPases comprises about 36 members in humans. M-Ras is related to classical Ras with regard to its regulators and effectors, but solely constitutes a subfamily among the Ras family members. Although classical Ras strongly binds Raf and highly activates the ERK pathway, M-Ras less strongly binds Raf and moderately but sustainedly activates the ERK pathway to induce neuronal differentiation. M-Ras also possesses specific effectors, including RapGEFs and the PP1 complex Shoc2-PP1c, which dephosphorylates Raf to activate the ERK pathway. M-Ras is highly expressed in the brain and plays essential roles in dendrite formation during neurogenesis, in contrast to the axon formation by R-Ras. M-Ras is also highly expressed in the bone and induces osteoblastic differentiation and transdifferentiation accompanied by calcification. Moreover, M-Ras elicits epithelial-mesenchymal transition-mediated collective and single cell migration through the PP1 complex-mediated ERK pathway activation. Activating missense mutations in the MRAS gene have been detected in Noonan syndrome, one of the RASopathies, and MRAS gene amplification occurs in several cancers. Furthermore, several SNPs in the MRAS gene are associated with coronary artery disease, obesity, and dyslipidemia. Therefore, M-Ras carries out a variety of cellular, physiological, and pathological functions. Further investigations may reveal more functions of M-Ras.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Endo
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoicho, Inageku, Chiba, Chiba 263-8522, Japan.
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13
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Lasho T, Patnaik MM. Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia – A bona fide RASopathy syndrome. Best Pract Res Clin Haematol 2020; 33:101171. [DOI: 10.1016/j.beha.2020.101171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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14
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Capri Y, Flex E, Krumbach OH, Carpentieri G, Cecchetti S, Lißewski C, Rezaei Adariani S, Schanze D, Brinkmann J, Piard J, Pantaleoni F, Lepri FR, Goh ESY, Chong K, Stieglitz E, Meyer J, Kuechler A, Bramswig NC, Sacharow S, Strullu M, Vial Y, Vignal C, Kensah G, Cuturilo G, Kazemein Jasemi NS, Dvorsky R, Monaghan KG, Vincent LM, Cavé H, Verloes A, Ahmadian MR, Tartaglia M, Zenker M. Activating Mutations of RRAS2 Are a Rare Cause of Noonan Syndrome. Am J Hum Genet 2019; 104:1223-1232. [PMID: 31130282 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2019.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant signaling through pathways controlling cell response to extracellular stimuli constitutes a central theme in disorders affecting development. Signaling through RAS and the MAPK cascade controls a variety of cell decisions in response to cytokines, hormones, and growth factors, and its upregulation causes Noonan syndrome (NS), a developmental disorder whose major features include a distinctive facies, a wide spectrum of cardiac defects, short stature, variable cognitive impairment, and predisposition to malignancies. NS is genetically heterogeneous, and mutations in more than ten genes have been reported to underlie this disorder. Despite the large number of genes implicated, about 10%-20% of affected individuals with a clinical diagnosis of NS do not have mutations in known RASopathy-associated genes, indicating that additional unidentified genes contribute to the disease, when mutated. By using a mixed strategy of functional candidacy and exome sequencing, we identify RRAS2 as a gene implicated in NS in six unrelated subjects/families. We show that the NS-causing RRAS2 variants affect highly conserved residues localized around the nucleotide binding pocket of the GTPase and are predicted to variably affect diverse aspects of RRAS2 biochemical behavior, including nucleotide binding, GTP hydrolysis, and interaction with effectors. Additionally, all pathogenic variants increase activation of the MAPK cascade and variably impact cell morphology and cytoskeletal rearrangement. Finally, we provide a characterization of the clinical phenotype associated with RRAS2 mutations.
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15
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Mendoza P, Martínez-Martín N, Bovolenta ER, Reyes-Garau D, Hernansanz-Agustín P, Delgado P, Diaz-Muñoz MD, Oeste CL, Fernández-Pisonero I, Castellano E, Martínez-Ruiz A, Alonso-Lopez D, Santos E, Bustelo XR, Kurosaki T, Alarcón B. R-Ras2 is required for germinal center formation to aid B cells during energetically demanding processes. Sci Signal 2018; 11:11/532/eaal1506. [DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aal1506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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16
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R-Ras1 and R-Ras2 Are Essential for Oligodendrocyte Differentiation and Survival for Correct Myelination in the Central Nervous System. J Neurosci 2018; 38:5096-5110. [PMID: 29720552 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3364-17.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Revised: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Rapid and effective neural transmission of information requires correct axonal myelination. Modifications in myelination alter axonal capacity to transmit electric impulses and enable pathological conditions. In the CNS, oligodendrocytes (OLs) myelinate axons, a complex process involving various cellular interactions. However, we know little about the mechanisms that orchestrate correct myelination. Here, we demonstrate that OLs express R-Ras1 and R-Ras2. Using female and male mutant mice to delete these proteins, we found that activation of the PI3K/Akt and Erk1/2-MAPK pathways was weaker in mice lacking one or both of these GTPases, suggesting that both proteins coordinate the activity of these two pathways. Loss of R-Ras1 and/or R-Ras2 diminishes the number of OLs in major myelinated CNS tracts and increases the proportion of immature OLs. In R-Ras1-/- and R-Ras2-/--null mice, OLs show aberrant morphologies and fail to differentiate correctly into myelin-forming phenotypes. The smaller OL population and abnormal OL maturation induce severe hypomyelination, with shorter nodes of Ranvier in R-Ras1-/- and/or R-Ras2-/- mice. These defects explain the slower conduction velocity of myelinated axons that we observed in the absence of R-Ras1 and R-Ras2. Together, these results suggest that R-Ras1 and R-Ras2 are upstream elements that regulate the survival and differentiation of progenitors into OLs through the PI3K/Akt and Erk1/2-MAPK pathways for proper myelination.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT In this study, we show that R-Ras1 and R-Ras2 play essential roles in regulating myelination in vivo and control fundamental aspects of oligodendrocyte (OL) survival and differentiation through synergistic activation of PI3K/Akt and Erk1/2-MAPK signaling. Mice lacking R-Ras1 and/or R-Ras2 show a diminished OL population with a higher proportion of immature OLs, explaining the observed hypomyelination in main CNS tracts. In vivo electrophysiology recordings demonstrate a slower conduction velocity of nerve impulses in the absence of R-Ras1 and R-Ras2. Therefore, R-Ras1 and R-Ras2 are essential for proper axonal myelination and accurate neural transmission.
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Sirkisoon SR, Carpenter RL, Rimkus T, Anderson A, Harrison A, Lange AM, Jin G, Watabe K, Lo HW. Interaction between STAT3 and GLI1/tGLI1 oncogenic transcription factors promotes the aggressiveness of triple-negative breast cancers and HER2-enriched breast cancer. Oncogene 2018; 37:2502-2514. [PMID: 29449694 PMCID: PMC5948110 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0132-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Revised: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), glioma oncogene homolog 1 (GLI1), and truncated GLI1 (tGLI1) are oncogenic transcription factors playing important roles in breast cancer. tGLI1 is a gain-of-function GLI1 isoform. Whether STAT3 physically and/or functionally interacts with GLI1/tGLI1 has not been explored. To address this knowledge gap, we analyzed 47 node-positive breast cancer specimens using immunohistochemical staining and found that phosphorylated-STAT3 (Y705), GLI1, and tGLI1 are co-overexpressed in the majority of triple-negative breast carcinomas (64%) and HER2-enriched (68%) breast carcinomas, and in lymph node metastases (65%). Using gene set enrichment analysis, we analyzed 710 breast tumors and found that STAT3 activation and GLI1/tGLI1 activation signatures are co-enriched in triple-negative subtypes of breast cancers and HER2-enriched subtypes of breast cancers, but not in luminal subtypes of breast cancers. Patients with high levels of STAT3 and GLI1/tGLI1 co-activation in their breast tumors had worse metastasis-free survival compared to those with low levels. Since these proteins co-overexpress in breast tumors, we examined whether they form complexes and observed that STAT3 interacted with both GLI1 and tGLI1. We further found that the STAT3-GLI1 and STAT3-tGLI1 complexes bind to both consensus GLI1-binding and STAT3-binding sites using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay, and that the co-overexpression markedly activated a promoter controlled by GLI1-binding sites. To identify genes that can be directly co-activated by STAT3 and GLI1/tGLI1, we analyzed three ChIP-seq datasets and identified 34 potential target genes. Following validations using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and survival analysis, we identified three genes as novel transcriptional targets of STAT3 and GLI1/tGLI1, R-Ras2, Cep70, and UPF3A. Finally, we observed that co-overexpression of STAT3 with GLI1/tGLI1 promoted the ability of breast cancer cells to form mammospheres and that STAT3 only cooperates with tGLI1 in immortalized mammary epithelial cells. In summary, our study identified novel physical and functional cooperation between two families of oncogenic transcription factors, and the interaction contributes to aggressiveness of breast cancer cells and poor prognosis of triple-negative breast cancers and HER2-enriched breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tadas Rimkus
- Department of Cancer Biology, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | | | | | | | - Guangxu Jin
- Department of Radiology, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Kounosuke Watabe
- Department of Cancer Biology, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
- Wake Forest Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Hui-Wen Lo
- Department of Cancer Biology, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
- Wake Forest Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
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Concepts and advances in cancer therapeutic vulnerabilities in RAS membrane targeting. Semin Cancer Biol 2017; 54:121-130. [PMID: 29203271 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2017.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
For decades oncogenic RAS proteins were considered undruggable due to a lack of accessible binding pockets on the protein surfaces. Seminal early research in RAS biology uncovered the basic paradigm of post-translational isoprenylation of RAS polypeptides, typically with covalent attachment of a farnesyl group, leading to isoprenyl-mediated RAS anchorage at the plasma membrane and signal initiation at those sites. However, the failure of farnesyltransferase inhibitors to translate to the clinic stymied anti-RAS therapy development. Over the past ten years, a more complete picture has emerged of RAS protein maturation, intracellular trafficking, and location, positioning and retention in subdomains at the plasma membrane, with a corresponding expansion in our understanding of how these properties of RAS contribute to signal outputs. Each of these aspects of RAS regulation presents a potential vulnerability in RAS function that may be exploited for therapeutic targeting, and inhibitors have been identified or developed that interfere with RAS for nearly all of them. This review will summarize current understanding of RAS membrane targeting with a focus on highlighting development and outcomes of inhibitors at each step.
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ERK1/2-induced phosphorylation of R-Ras GTPases stimulates their oncogenic potential. Oncogene 2016; 35:5692-5698. [PMID: 27086924 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2016.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Revised: 03/02/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The Ras-related (R-Ras) isoforms TC21, R-Ras and M-Ras are members of the Ras superfamily of small GTPases. R-Ras family proteins are frequently overexpressed in human cancers, and expression of activated mutants of these GTPases is sufficient to induce cell transformation. Unlike Ras, few activating mutations of R-Ras proteins have been reported in human cancer, and very little is known about the regulation of their activity. In this study, we report that TC21 and R-Ras are phosphorylated on a conserved serine, Ser186 and Ser201, respectively, in intact cells. This residue is located in the C-terminal hypervariable region of the proteins and is not conserved in M-Ras. We show that the MAP kinases ERK1/2 phosphorylate TC21 and R-Ras on this C-terminal serine residue both in vitro and in vivo. Phosphorylation of R-Ras proteins does not affect their subcellular localization or stability but rather stimulates their activation. Phosphorylation-defective mutants of R-Ras and TC21 are compromised in their ability to promote cancer cell adhesion and migration/invasion, respectively. Importantly, we show that phosphorylation of TC21 and R-Ras potentiates their tumorigenic activity in immunodeficient mice. Our results identify a novel regulatory mechanism of the small GTPases TC21 and R-Ras that controls their oncogenic potential.
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Ceremsak JJ, Yu A, Esquivel E, Lissewski C, Zenker M, Loh ML, Stieglitz E. Germline RRAS2 mutations are not associated with Noonan syndrome. J Med Genet 2016; 53:728. [PMID: 27055474 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2016-103889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2016] [Revised: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- John J Ceremsak
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, Benioff Children's Hospital, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Ariel Yu
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, Benioff Children's Hospital, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Emilio Esquivel
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, Benioff Children's Hospital, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Christina Lissewski
- University Hospital Magdeburg, Institute of Human Genetics, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Martin Zenker
- University Hospital Magdeburg, Institute of Human Genetics, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Mignon L Loh
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, Benioff Children's Hospital, San Francisco, California, USA.,Helen Diller Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Elliot Stieglitz
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, Benioff Children's Hospital, San Francisco, California, USA
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21
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Stieglitz E, Taylor-Weiner AN, Chang TY, Gelston LC, Wang YD, Mazor T, Esquivel E, Yu A, Seepo S, Olsen S, Rosenberg M, Archambeault SL, Abusin G, Beckman K, Brown PA, Briones M, Carcamo B, Cooper T, Dahl GV, Emanuel PD, Fluchel MN, Goyal RK, Hayashi RJ, Hitzler J, Hugge C, Liu YL, Messinger YH, Mahoney DH, Monteleone P, Nemecek ER, Roehrs PA, Schore RJ, Stine KC, Takemoto CM, Toretsky JA, Costello JF, Olshen AB, Stewart C, Li Y, Ma J, Gerbing RB, Alonzo TA, Getz G, Gruber T, Golub T, Stegmaier K, Loh ML. The genomic landscape of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia. Nat Genet 2015; 47:1326-1333. [PMID: 26457647 PMCID: PMC4626387 DOI: 10.1038/ng.3400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 209] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2015] [Accepted: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) of childhood with a poor prognosis. Mutations in NF1, NRAS, KRAS, PTPN11 or CBL occur in 85% of patients, yet there are currently no risk stratification algorithms capable of predicting which patients will be refractory to conventional treatment and could therefore be candidates for experimental therapies. In addition, few molecular pathways aside from the RAS-MAPK pathway have been identified that could serve as the basis for such novel therapeutic strategies. We therefore sought to genomically characterize serial samples from patients at diagnosis through relapse and transformation to acute myeloid leukemia to expand knowledge of the mutational spectrum in JMML. We identified recurrent mutations in genes involved in signal transduction, splicing, Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) and transcription. Notably, the number of somatic alterations present at diagnosis appears to be the major determinant of outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliot Stieglitz
- Department of Pediatrics, Benioff Children's Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | | | - Tiffany Y. Chang
- Department of Pediatrics, Benioff Children's Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Laura C. Gelston
- Department of Pediatrics, Benioff Children's Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Yong-Dong Wang
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | - Tali Mazor
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - Emilio Esquivel
- Department of Pediatrics, Benioff Children's Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Ariel Yu
- Department of Pediatrics, Benioff Children's Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Sara Seepo
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
| | - Scott Olsen
- Hartwell Center for Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | | | - Sophie L. Archambeault
- Department of Pediatrics, Benioff Children's Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Ghada Abusin
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA
| | - Kyle Beckman
- Department of Pediatrics, Benioff Children's Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Patrick A. Brown
- Department of Pediatrics, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MA
| | - Michael Briones
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorder Center, Atlanta, GA
| | | | - Todd Cooper
- Department of Pediatrics, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA
| | - Gary V. Dahl
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Peter D. Emanuel
- Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
| | - Mark N. Fluchel
- Department of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Rakesh K. Goyal
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Robert J. Hayashi
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Johann Hitzler
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christopher Hugge
- Pediatric Hematology Oncology, SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center, Saint Louis, MO
| | - Y. Lucy Liu
- Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
| | - Yoav H. Messinger
- Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Donald H. Mahoney
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Philip Monteleone
- Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Pediatric Specialists of Lehigh Valley Hospital, Bethlehem, PA
| | - Eneida R. Nemecek
- Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
| | - Philip A. Roehrs
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Reuven J. Schore
- Division of Pediatric Oncology, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC
| | - Kimo C. Stine
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
| | | | - Jeffrey A. Toretsky
- Department of Pediatrics, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
| | - Joseph F. Costello
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - Adam B. Olshen
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - Chip Stewart
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
| | - Yongjin Li
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | - Jing Ma
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | | | - Todd A. Alonzo
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Gad Getz
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Department of Pathology and Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Tanja Gruber
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | - Todd Golub
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Kimberly Stegmaier
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Mignon L. Loh
- Department of Pediatrics, Benioff Children's Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Pediatrics, Benioff Children's Hospital, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
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Larive RM, Moriggi G, Menacho-Márquez M, Cañamero M, de Álava E, Alarcón B, Dosil M, Bustelo XR. Contribution of the R-Ras2 GTP-binding protein to primary breast tumorigenesis and late-stage metastatic disease. Nat Commun 2014; 5:3881. [PMID: 24826867 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2014] [Accepted: 04/14/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
R-Ras2 is a transforming GTPase that shares downstream effectors with Ras subfamily proteins. However, little information exists about the function of this protein in tumorigenesis and its signalling overlap with classical Ras GTPases. Here we show, by combining loss- and gain-of-function studies in breast cancer cells, mammary epithelial cells and mouse models, that endogenous R-Ras2 has a role in both primary breast tumorigenesis and the late metastatic steps of cancer cells in the lung parenchyma. R-Ras2 drives tumorigenesis in a phosphatidylinostiol-3 kinase (PI3K)-dependent and signalling autonomous manner. By contrast, its prometastatic role requires other priming oncogenic signals and the engagement of several downstream elements. R-Ras2 function is required even in cancer cells exhibiting constitutive activation of classical Ras proteins, indicating that these GTPases are not functionally redundant. Our results also suggest that application of long-term R-Ras2 therapies will result in the development of compensatory mechanisms in breast tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain M Larive
- 1] Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-University of Salamanca, Campus Unamuno s/n, 37007 Salamanca, Spain [2] Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-University of Salamanca, Campus Unamuno s/n, 37007 Salamanca, Spain [3]
| | - Giulia Moriggi
- 1] Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-University of Salamanca, Campus Unamuno s/n, 37007 Salamanca, Spain [2] Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-University of Salamanca, Campus Unamuno s/n, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Mauricio Menacho-Márquez
- 1] Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-University of Salamanca, Campus Unamuno s/n, 37007 Salamanca, Spain [2] Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-University of Salamanca, Campus Unamuno s/n, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Marta Cañamero
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), 3 Fernández Almagro Street, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Enrique de Álava
- 1] Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-University of Salamanca, Campus Unamuno s/n, 37007 Salamanca, Spain [2] Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-University of Salamanca, Campus Unamuno s/n, 37007 Salamanca, Spain [3] Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Manuel Suriot Avenue, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Balbino Alarcón
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa", CSIC-Madrid Autonomous University, 1 Nicolás Cabrera Street, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Mercedes Dosil
- 1] Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-University of Salamanca, Campus Unamuno s/n, 37007 Salamanca, Spain [2] Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-University of Salamanca, Campus Unamuno s/n, 37007 Salamanca, Spain [3] Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, University of Salamanca, Campus Unamuno s/n, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Xosé R Bustelo
- 1] Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-University of Salamanca, Campus Unamuno s/n, 37007 Salamanca, Spain [2] Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-University of Salamanca, Campus Unamuno s/n, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
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23
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Gutierrez-Erlandsson S, Herrero-Vidal P, Fernandez-Alfara M, Hernandez-Garcia S, Gonzalo-Flores S, Mudarra-Rubio A, Fresno M, Cubelos B. R-RAS2 overexpression in tumors of the human central nervous system. Mol Cancer 2013; 12:127. [PMID: 24148564 PMCID: PMC3900289 DOI: 10.1186/1476-4598-12-127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2013] [Accepted: 10/17/2013] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) are the 10th most frequent cause of cancer mortality. Despite the strong malignancy of some such tumors, oncogenic mutations are rarely found in classic members of the RAS family of small GTPases. This raises the question as to whether other RAS family members may be affected in CNS tumors, excessively activating RAS pathways. The RAS-related subfamily of GTPases is that which is most closely related to classical Ras and it currently contains 3 members: RRAS, RRAS2 and RRAS3. While R-RAS and R-RAS2 are expressed ubiquitously, R-RAS3 expression is restricted to the CNS. Significantly, both wild type and mutated RRAS2 (also known as TC21) are overexpressed in human carcinomas of the oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, skin and breast, as well as in lymphomas. Hence, we analyzed the expression of R-RAS2 mRNA and protein in a wide variety of human CNS tumors and we found the R-RAS2 protein to be overexpressed in all of the 90 CNS cancer samples studied, including glioblastomas, astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas. However, R-Ras2 was more strongly expressed in low grade (World Health Organization grades I-II) rather than high grade (grades III-IV) tumors, suggesting that R-RAS2 is overexpressed in the early stages of malignancy. Indeed, R-RAS2 overexpression was evident in pre-malignant hyperplasias, both at the mRNA and protein levels. Nevertheless, such dramatic changes in expression were not evident for the other two subfamily members, which implies that RRAS2 is the main factor triggering neural transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Beatriz Cubelos
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid 28049, Spain.
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24
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The Expression, Purification, and Characterization of a Ras Oncogene (Bras2) in Silkworm (Bombyx mori). Int J Genomics 2013; 2013:269609. [PMID: 23781494 PMCID: PMC3678442 DOI: 10.1155/2013/269609] [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] [Received: 01/04/2013] [Revised: 04/10/2013] [Accepted: 04/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The Ras oncogene of silkworm pupae (Bras2) may belong to the Ras superfamily. It shares 77% of its amino acid identity with teratocarcinoma oncogene 21 (TC21) related ras viral oncogene homolog-2 (R-Ras2) and possesses an identical core effector region. The mRNA of Bombyx mori Bras2 has 1412 bp. The open reading frame contains 603 bp, which encodes 200 amino acid residues. This recombinant BmBras2 protein was subsequently used as an antigen to raise a rabbit polyclonal antibody. Western blotting and real-time PCR analyses showed that BmBras2 was expressed during four developmental stages. The BmBras2 expression level was the highest in the pupae and was low in other life cycle stages. BmBras2 was expressed in all eight tested tissues, and it was highly expressed in the head, intestine, and epidermis. Subcellular localization studies indicated that BmBras2 was predominantly localized in the nuclei of Bm5 cells, although cytoplasmic staining was also observed to a lesser extent. A cell proliferation assay showed that rBmBras2 could stimulate the proliferation of hepatoma cells. The higher BmBras2 expression levels in the pupal stage, tissue expression patterns, and a cell proliferation assay indicated that BmBras2 promotes cell division and proliferation, most likely by influencing cell signal transduction.
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25
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Abstract
Activating mutations and overexpression of classical Ras subfamily members (K-Ras, N-Ras and H-Ras) have been widely investigated as key events in the development of human cancers. The role in cancer of its closest relatives, the Ras-related (RRas) subfamily members, has been less studied despite the fact that one of its members (TC21 or RRas2) is strongly transforming in vitro. Nevertheless, and in spite the paucity of publications, several studies have shown that wild type TC21 is overexpressed in different types of carcinomas and lymphomas. If the study of RRas members in cancer is still in its infancy, their role in physiological functions is even behind. For instance, T and B cell immunologists still use the vague term "Ras activation" without indication of what Ras family molecule is indeed intervening. In this view, we discuss the participation of TC21 in the specific process of T cell antigen receptor internalization from the immunological synapse and acquisition of membrane fragments from the antigen presenting cells by phagocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balbino Alarcón
- Centro de Biologia Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
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26
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Patmore DM, Welch S, Fulkerson PC, Wu J, Choi K, Eaves D, Kordich JJ, Collins MH, Cripe TP, Ratner N. In vivo regulation of TGF-β by R-Ras2 revealed through loss of the RasGAP protein NF1. Cancer Res 2012; 72:5317-27. [PMID: 22918885 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-12-1972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Ras superfamily proteins participate in TGF-β-mediated developmental pathways that promote either tumor suppression or progression. However, the specific Ras proteins, which integrate in vivo with TGF-β signaling pathways, are unknown. As a general approach to this question, we activated all Ras proteins in vivo by genetic deletion of the RasGAP protein Nf1 and examined mice doubly deficient in a Ras protein to determine its requirement in formation of TGF-β-dependent neurofibromas that arise in Nf1-deficient mice. Animals lacking Nf1 and the Ras-related protein R-Ras2/TC21 displayed a delay in formation of neurofibromas but an acceleration in formation of brain tumors and sarcomas. Loss of R-Ras2 was associated with elevated expression of TGF-β in Nf1-deficient Schwann cell precursors, blockade of a Nf1/TGFβRII/AKT-dependent autocrine survival loop in tumor precursor cells, and decreased precursor cell numbers. Furthermore, the increase in size of sarcomas from xenografts doubly deficient in these genes was also found to be TGF-β-dependent, in this case resulting from cell nonautonomous effects on endothelial cells and myofibroblasts. Extending these findings in clinical specimens, we documented an increase in TGF-β ligands and an absence of TGF-β receptor II in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, which correspond to tumors in the Nf1-deficient mouse model. Together, our findings reveal R-Ras2 as a critical regulator of TGF-β signaling in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deanna M Patmore
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA
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27
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Hasan MR, Chauhan SS, Sharma R, Ralhan R. siRNA-mediated downregulation of TC21 sensitizes esophageal cancer cells to cisplatin. World J Gastroenterol 2012; 18:4127-35. [PMID: 22919244 PMCID: PMC3422792 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i31.4127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2011] [Revised: 05/07/2012] [Accepted: 05/26/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To determine the functional significance of TC21 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
METHODS: TC21 siRNA transfection was carried out using Hyperfectamine to knock down TC21, and transcripts were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and protein by Western blotting. We demonstrated the effect of TC21 downregulation of cell signaling in esophageal cancer cells by assessing the phosphorylation status of its downstream targets, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), protein kinase B (pAkt), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and cyclinD1 using specific antibodies. Cell survival analysis after cisplatin treatment was carried out by cell viability assay and cell cycle analysis using flow cytometry.
RESULTS: TC21 knockdown in human ESCC cell line TE13 cells, showed only a marginal increase (14.2%) in cell death compared with control cells. The expressions of the signaling proteins PI3K and pAkt, transcription factor NF-κB, and cell cycle protein cyclin D1 were markedly decreased in response to TC21 downregulation, whereas the level of pPTEN, an antagonist of PI3K, was increased. In addition, we evaluated the potential of TC21 as a putative target for sensitizing ESCC cells to the chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin. Increased cell death (38.4%) was observed in cells treated with cisplatin after TC21 knockdown compared with cells which were treated with cisplatin alone (20% cell death).
CONCLUSION: Results suggest that TC21 mediates its effects via the PI3K-Akt pathway, NF-κB and cyclin D1, and enhances chemoresistance in esophageal cancer cells.
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28
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Larive RM, Abad A, Cardaba CM, Hernández T, Cañamero M, de Álava E, Santos E, Alarcón B, Bustelo XR. The Ras-like protein R-Ras2/TC21 is important for proper mammary gland development. Mol Biol Cell 2012; 23:2373-87. [PMID: 22535521 PMCID: PMC3374755 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e12-01-0060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
R-Ras2/TC21 is a GTPase with high sequence and signaling similarity with Ras subfamily members. Although it has been extensively studied using overexpression studies in cell lines, its physiological role remains poorly characterized. Here we used RRas2-knockout mice expressing β-galactosidase under the regulation of the endogenous RRas2 promoter to investigate the function of this GTPase in vivo. Despite its expression in tissues critical for organismal viability, RRas2(-/-) mice show no major alterations in viability, growth rates, cardiovascular parameters, or fertility. By contrast, they display a marked and specific defect in the development of the mammary gland during puberty. In the absence of R-Ras2/TC21, this gland forms reduced numbers of terminal end buds (TEBs) and ductal branches, leading to a temporal delay in the extension and arborization of the gland tree in mammary fat pads. This phenotype is linked to cell-autonomous proliferative defects of epithelial cells present in TEBs. These cells also show reduced Erk activation but wild type-like levels of phosphorylated Akt. Using compound RRas2-, HRas-, and NRas-knockout mice, we demonstrate that these GTPases act in a nonsynergistic and nonadditive manner during this morphogenic process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain M Larive
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-University of Salamanca, E37007 Salamanca, Spain
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29
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Lee JH, Pyon JK, Lee SH, Lee YJ, Kang SG, Kim CH, Kim DW, Nam HS, Park YH, Jeong DJ, Cho MK. Greater expression of TC21/R-ras2 in highly aggressive malignant skin cancer. Int J Dermatol 2011; 50:956-60. [PMID: 21781067 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2010.04846.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND TC21 plays an important role in highly aggressive tumor formation, and it was overexpressed in several human cancers, including breast cancer, oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and esophageal SCC. In light of this, we explored the expression of TC21 in overall skin cancers in order to evaluate the relationship between TC21 and malignant skin tumors. METHODS We examined six normal skin tissues and 18 malignant skin tumor tissues, including six malignant melanomas (MM), six SCCs, and six basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) using western blotting for the expression of TC21. In another set, 16 specimens of MM, 16 SCC, and 16 BCC were analyzed for the expression of TC21 using immunohistochemical staining. To evaluate the amount of expression of TC21, the Raytest TINA software was used for western blotting and a histochemical score (HSCORE) was used for immunohistochemical evaluation. RESULTS The western blotting and immunohistochemistry showed that TC21 was expressed in all malignant skin tumors and not in normal skin tissues. The relative protein expression was an average of 0.004 in normal skin, 1.042 in MM, 0.621 in SCC, and 0.485 in BCC. In immunohistochemistry, HSCORE for normal skin was an average of 0.05, MM was 2.42, SCC was 2.11, and BCC was 1.22. CONCLUSIONS This article is the first study demonstrating expression of TC21 in human skin malignant tumors and suggests that TC21 is more expressed in highly aggressive skin tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jang Hyun Lee
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Guri, Korea
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30
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Watanabe T, Kobunai T, Yamamoto Y, Matsuda K, Ishihara S, Nozawa K, Iinuma H, Ikeuchi H, Eshima K. Differential gene expression signatures between colorectal cancers with and without KRAS mutations: crosstalk between the KRAS pathway and other signalling pathways. Eur J Cancer 2011; 47:1946-54. [PMID: 21531130 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2011.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2010] [Accepted: 03/23/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE KRAS mutation is an important predictive marker in determining resistance to anti-Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) antibody therapies. In order to clarify whether not only KRAS related signalling pathways but also other signalling pathways are altered in patients with colorectal cancers (CRCs) with KRAS mutations, we examined the differences in the gene expression signatures between CRCs with and without KRAS mutation. PATIENTS AND METHODS One-hundred and thirteen patients who underwent a surgical resection of a primary CRC were examined. KRAS mutational status was determined using the Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA)-clamp real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) TaqMan assay. Gene expression profiles were compared between CRCs with and without KRAS mutation using the Human Genome GeneChip array U133. RESULTS Among 113 CRCs, KRAS mutations were present in 35 tumours (31%). We identified 30 genes (probes) that were differentially expressed between CRCs with and without KRAS mutation (False Discovery Rate (FDR), p<0.01), by which we were able to predict the KRAS status with an accuracy of 90.3%. Thirty discriminating genes included TC21, paired-like homeodomain 1 (PITX1), Sprouty-2, dickkopf homologue 4 (DKK-4), SET and MYND domain containing 3 (SMYD3), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 14 (MAP3K14) and c-mer Proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase (MerTK). These genes were related to not only KRAS related signalling pathway but also to other signalling pathways, such as the Wnt-signalling pathway, the NF-kappa B activation pathway and the TGF-beta signalling pathway. CONCLUSIONS KRAS mutant CRCs exhibited a distinct gene expression signature different from wild-type KRAS CRCs. Using human CRC samples, we were able to show that there is crosstalk between the KRAS-mediated pathway and other signalling pathways. These results are necessary to be taken into account in establishing chemotherapeutic strategies for patients with anti-EGFR-refractory KRAS mutant CRCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiaki Watanabe
- Department of Surgery, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8605, Japan.
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Macha MA, Matta A, Sriram U, Thakkar A, Shukla NK, Datta Gupta S, Ralhan R. Clinical significance of TC21 overexpression in oral cancer. J Oral Pathol Med 2009; 39:477-85. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0714.2009.00854.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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M-Ras evolved independently of R-Ras and its neural function is conserved between mammalian and ascidian, which lacks classical Ras. Gene 2008; 429:49-58. [PMID: 18977283 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2008.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2008] [Revised: 09/26/2008] [Accepted: 10/01/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The Ras family small GTPases play a variety of essential roles in eukaryotes. Among them, classical Ras (H-Ras, K-Ras, and N-Ras) and its orthologues are conserved from yeast to human. In ascidians, which phylogenetically exist between invertebrates and vertebrates, the fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-Ras-MAP kinase signaling is required for the induction of neural system, notochord, and mesenchyme. Analyses of DNA databases revealed that no gene encoding classical Ras is present in the ascidians, Ciona intestinalis and Halocynthia roretzi, despite the presence of classical Ras-orthologous genes in nematode, fly, amphioxus, and fish. By contrast, both the ascidians contain single genes orthologous to Mras, Rras, Ral, Rap1, and Rap2. A single Mras orthologue exists from nematode to mammalian. Thus, Mras evolved in metazoans independently of other Ras family genes such as Rras. Whole-mount in situ hybridization showed that C. intestinalis Mras orthologue (Ci-Mras) was expressed in the neural complex of the ascidian juveniles after metamorphosis. Knockdown of Ci-Mras with morpholino antisense oligonucleotides in the embryos and larvae resulted in undeveloped tails and neuronal pigment cells, abrogation of the notochord marker brachyury expression, and perturbation of the neural marker Otx expression, as has been shown in the experiments of the FGF-Ras-MAP kinase signaling inhibition. Mammalian Ras and M-Ras mediate nerve growth factor-induced neuronal differentiation in rat PC12 cells by activating the ERK/MAP kinase pathway transiently and sustainedly, respectively. Activated Ci-M-Ras bound to target proteins of mammalian M-Ras and Ras. Exogenous expression of an activated Ci-M-Ras in PC12 cells caused ERK activation and induced neuritogenesis via the ERK pathway as do mammalian M-Ras and Ras. These results suggest that the ascidian M-Ras orthologue compensates for lacked classical Ras and plays essential roles in neurogenesis in the ascidian.
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Erdogan M, Pozzi A, Bhowmick N, Moses HL, Zent R. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and TGF-beta-associated kinase 1 are required for R-Ras-mediated transformation of mammary epithelial cells. Cancer Res 2008; 68:6224-31. [PMID: 18676846 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-08-0513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) cooperates with oncogenic members of the Ras superfamily to promote cellular transformation and tumor progression. Apart from the classic (H-, K-, and N-) Ras GTPases, only the R-Ras subfamily (R-Ras, R-Ras2/TC21, and R-Ras3/M-Ras) has significant oncogenic potential. In this study, we show that oncogenic R-Ras transformation of EpH4 cells requires TGF-beta signaling. When murine EpH4 cells were stably transfected with a constitutively active R-Ras(G38V) mutant, they were no longer sensitive to TGF-beta-mediated growth inhibition and showed increased proliferation and transformation in response to exogenous TGF-beta. R-Ras/EpH4 cells require TGF-beta signaling for transformation to occur and they produce significantly elevated levels of endogenous TGF-beta, which signals in an autocrine fashion. The effects of TGF-beta are independent of Smad2/3 activity and require activation of TGF-beta-associated kinase 1 (TAK1) and its downstream effectors c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase as well as the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt and mammalian target of rapamycin pathways. Thus, TAK1 is a novel link between TGF-beta signaling and oncogenic R-Ras in the promotion of tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mete Erdogan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
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Erdogan M, Pozzi A, Bhowmick N, Moses HL, Zent R. Signaling pathways regulating TC21-induced tumorigenesis. J Biol Chem 2007; 282:27713-20. [PMID: 17656362 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m703037200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
TC21(R-Ras2), a Ras-related GTPase with transforming potential similar to H-, K- and N-Ras, is implicated in the pathogenesis of human cancers. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), a cytokine that plays a significant role in modulating tumorigenesis, normally prevents uncontrolled cell proliferation but paradoxically induces proliferation in H-Ras-transformed cancer cells. Although TC21 activates some pathways that mediate cellular transformation by the classical Ras proteins, the mechanisms through which TC21 induces tumor formation and how TGF-beta regulates TC21 transformed cells is not known. To better understand the role of TC21 in cancer progression, we overexpressed an activated G23V mutant of TC21 in a nontumorigenic murine mammary epithelial (EpH4) cell line. Mutant TC21-expressing cells were significantly more oncogenic than cells expressing activated G12V H-Ras both in vivo and in vitro. TC21-induced transformation and proliferation required activation of p38 MAPK, mTOR (the mammalian target of rapamycin), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase but not Akt/PKB. Transformation by TC21 rendered EpH4 cells insensitive to the growth inhibitory effects of TGF-beta, and the soft agar growth of these cells was increased upon TGF-beta stimulation. Despite losing responsiveness to TGF-beta-mediated growth inhibition, both Smad-dependent and independent pathways remained intact in TC21-transformed cells. Thus, overexpression of active TC21 in EpH4 cells induces tumorigenicity through the phosphoinositide 3-kinase, p38 MAPK, and mTOR pathways, and these cells lose their sensitivity to the normal growth inhibitory role of TGF-beta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mete Erdogan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USA
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35
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Pozzi A, Coffa S, Bulus N, Zhu W, Chen D, Chen X, Mernaugh G, Su Y, Cai S, Singh A, Brissova M, Zent R. H-Ras, R-Ras, and TC21 differentially regulate ureteric bud cell branching morphogenesis. Mol Biol Cell 2006; 17:2046-56. [PMID: 16467383 PMCID: PMC1415315 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e05-08-0800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The collecting system of the kidney, derived from the ureteric bud (UB), undergoes repetitive bifid branching events during early development followed by a phase of tubular growth and elongation. Although members of the Ras GTPase family control cell growth, differentiation, proliferation, and migration, their role in development of the collecting system of the kidney is unexplored. In this study, we demonstrate that members of the R-Ras family of proteins, R-Ras and TC21, are expressed in the murine collecting system at E13.5, whereas H-Ras is only detected at day E17.5. Using murine UB cells expressing activated H-Ras, R-Ras, and TC21, we demonstrate that R-Ras-expressing cells show increased branching morphogenesis and cell growth, TC21-expressing cells branch excessively but lose their ability to migrate, whereas H-Ras-expressing cells migrated the most and formed long unbranched tubules. These differences in branching morphogenesis are mediated by differential regulation/activation of the Rho family of GTPases and mitogen-activated protein kinases. Because most branching of the UB occurs early in development, it is conceivable that R-Ras and TC-21 play a role in facilitating branching and growth in early UB development, whereas H-Ras might favor cell migration and elongation of tubules, events that occur later in development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ambra Pozzi
- Department of Research Medicine, Veterans Affairs Hospital, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
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36
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Bounacer A, McGregor A, Skinner J, Bond J, Poghosyan Z, Wynford-Thomas D. Mutant ras-induced proliferation of human thyroid epithelial cells requires three effector pathways. Oncogene 2004; 23:7839-45. [PMID: 15361839 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1208085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Ras mutations occur as an early event in many human tumours of epithelial origin, including thyroid. Using primary human thyroid epithelial cells to model tumour initiation by Ras, we have shown previously that activation of both the MAP kinase (MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) effector pathways are necessary, but even when activated together are not sufficient, for Ras-induced proliferation. Here, we show that a third effector, RalGEF, is also activated by Ras in these cells, that this activation is necessary for Ras-induced proliferation, and furthermore that in combination with the MAPK and PI3K effectors, it is able to reproduce the proliferative effect of activated Ras. The requirement for three effector pathways indicates a more robust control of cell proliferation in this normal human epithelial cell type than has been displayed in previous similar studies using rodent and human cell lines. Our findings highlight the importance of the appropriate cellular context in models of Ras-induced tumour development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Bounacer
- Cancer Research UK Laboratories, Department of Pathology, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK
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Rodriguez-Viciana P, Sabatier C, McCormick F. Signaling specificity by Ras family GTPases is determined by the full spectrum of effectors they regulate. Mol Cell Biol 2004; 24:4943-54. [PMID: 15143186 PMCID: PMC416418 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.24.11.4943-4954.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 257] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Ras family GTPases (RFGs) regulate signaling pathways that control multiple biological processes. How signaling specificity among the closely related family members is achieved is poorly understood. We have taken a proteomics approach to signaling by RFGs, and we have analyzed interactions of a panel of RFGs with a comprehensive group of known and potential effectors. We have found remarkable differences in the ability of RFGs to regulate the various isoforms of known effector families. We have also identified several proteins as novel effectors of RFGs with differential binding specificities to the various RFGs. We propose that specificity among RFGs is achieved by the differential regulation of combinations of effector families as well as by the selective regulation of different isoforms within an effector family. An understanding of this new level of complexity in the signaling pathways regulated by RFGs is necessary to understand how they carry out their many cellular functions. It will also likely have critical implications in the treatment of human diseases such as cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Rodriguez-Viciana
- Cancer Research Institute and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, 2340 Sutter St., San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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38
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Zhang KX, Ward KR, Schrader JW. Multiple Aspects of the Phenotype of Mammary Epithelial Cells Transformed by Expression of Activated M-Ras Depend on an Autocrine Mechanism Mediated by Hepatocyte Growth Factor/Scatter Factor. Mol Cancer Res 2004. [DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.242.2.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Multiple aspects of the transformed phenotype induced in a murine mammary epithelial cell line scp-2 by expression of activated G22V M-Ras, including maintainance of cell number at low density, anchorage-independent growth, invasion of Matrigel, and secretion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 2 and 9, were dependent on an autocrine mechanism. Conditioned medium from dense cultures of scp-2 cells expressing G22V M-Ras, but not from parental cells, induced activation of Erk and Akt in cells expressing G22V M-Ras, maintained the cell number and promoted anchorage-independent growth of cells expressing G22V M-Ras (although not the parental cells), and induced scattering of MDCK cells. The latter activities were blocked by neutralizing antibodies to hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) and could be mimicked by HGF/SF. Anti-HGF/SF antibodies also inhibited invasion of Matrigel, and the production of MMP-2 and MMP-9, together with urokinase-type plasminogen activator, was secreted by G22V M-Ras scp-2 cells but not by parental cells. Invasion of Matrigel was blocked by an inhibitor of MMPs, BB94, and by the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 kinase inhibitor PD98059 but was only marginally affected by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor LY294002. Autocrine HGF/SF was thus critical for expression of key features of the phenotype of mammary epithelial cells transformed by expression of activated M-Ras.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai-Xin Zhang
- The Biomedical Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Katherine R. Ward
- The Biomedical Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - John W. Schrader
- The Biomedical Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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39
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Huang Y, Rangwala F, Fulkerson PC, Ling B, Reed E, Cox AD, Kamholz J, Ratner N. Role of TC21/R-Ras2 in enhanced migration of neurofibromin-deficient Schwann cells. Oncogene 2004; 23:368-78. [PMID: 14724565 PMCID: PMC2854497 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1207075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The neurofibromatosis type 1 tumor suppressor protein neurofibromin, is a GTPase activating protein for H-, N-, K-, R-Ras and TC21/R-Ras2 proteins. We demonstrate that Schwann cells derived from Nf1-null mice have enhanced chemokinetic and chemotactic migration in comparison to wild-type controls. Surprisingly, this migratory phenotype is not inhibited by a farnesyltransferase inhibitor or dominant-negative (dn) (N17)H-Ras (which inhibits H-, N-, and K-Ras activation). We postulated that increased activity of R-Ras and/or TC21/R-Ras2, due to loss of Nf1, contributes to increased migration. Mouse Schwann cells (MSCs) express R-Ras and TC21/R-Ras2 and their specific guanine exchange factors, C3G and AND-34. Infection of Nf1-null MSCs with a dn(43N)R-Ras adenovirus (to inhibit both R-Ras and TC21/R-Ras2 activation) decreases migration by approximately 50%. Conversely, expression of activated (72L)TC21/R-Ras2, but not activated (38V)R-Ras, increases migration, suggesting a role of TC21/R-Ras2 activation in the migration of neurofibromin-deficient Schwann cells. TC21/R-Ras2 preferentially couples to the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) and MAP kinase pathways. Treatment with a PI3-kinase or MAP kinase inhibitor reduces Nf1-null Schwann cell migration, implicating these TC21 effectors in Schwann cell migration. These data reveal a key role for neurofibromin regulation of TC21/R-Ras2 in Schwann cells, a cell type critical to NF1 tumor pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Huang
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, 3125 Eden Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45267-0521, USA
| | - Fatima Rangwala
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, 3125 Eden Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45267-0521, USA
| | - Patricia C Fulkerson
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, 3125 Eden Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45267-0521, USA
| | - Bo Ling
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, 3125 Eden Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45267-0521, USA
| | - Erin Reed
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, 3125 Eden Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45267-0521, USA
| | - Adrienne D Cox
- Departments of Radiation Oncology and Pharmacology, CB7512, Lineberger Cancer Center, UNC-CH, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - John Kamholz
- Department of Neurology, Wayne State University, Elliman Building 3206, 421 East Canfield, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Nancy Ratner
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, 3125 Eden Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45267-0521, USA
- Correspondence: N Ratner;
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Bulavin DV, Kovalsky O, Hollander MC, Fornace AJ. Loss of oncogenic H-ras-induced cell cycle arrest and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation by disruption of Gadd45a. Mol Cell Biol 2003; 23:3859-71. [PMID: 12748288 PMCID: PMC155214 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.23.11.3859-3871.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The activation of p53 is a guardian mechanism to protect primary cells from malignant transformation; however, the details of the activation of p53 by oncogenic stress are still incomplete. In this report we show that in Gadd45a(-/-) mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEF), overexpression of H-ras activates extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) but not p38 kinase, and this correlates with the loss of H-ras-induced cell cycle arrest (premature senescence). Inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation correlated with the deregulation of p53 activation, and both a p38 MAPK chemical inhibitor and the expression of a dominant-negative p38alpha inhibited p53 activation in the presence of H-ras in wild-type MEF. p38, but not ERK or JNK, was found in a complex with Gadd45 proteins. The region of interaction was mapped to amino acids 71 to 96, and the central portion (amino acids 71 to 124) of Gadd45a was required for p38 MAPK activation in the presence of H-ras. Our results indicate that this Gadd45/p38 pathway plays an important role in preventing oncogene-induced growth at least in part by regulating the p53 tumor suppressor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry V Bulavin
- Gene Response Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
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41
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Spencer ML, Shao H, Andres DA. Induction of neurite extension and survival in pheochromocytoma cells by the Rit GTPase. J Biol Chem 2002; 277:20160-8. [PMID: 11914372 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m201092200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The Rit, Rin, and Ric proteins comprise a distinct and evolutionarily conserved subfamily of the Ras-like small G-proteins. Although these proteins share the majority of core effector domain residues with Ras, recent studies suggest that Rit uses novel effector pathways to regulate NIH3T3 cell proliferation and transformation, while the functions of Rin and Ric remain largely unknown. Since we demonstrate that Rit is expressed in neurons, we investigated the role of Rit signaling in promoting the differentiation and survival of pheochromocytoma cells. In this study, we show that expression of constitutively active Rit (RitL79) in PC6 cells results in neuronal differentiation, characterized by the elaboration of an extensive network of neurite-like processes that are morphologically distinct from those mediated by the expression of oncogenic Ras. Although activated Rit fails to stimulate mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) signaling pathways in COS cells, RitL79 induced the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in PC6 cells. We also find that Rit-mediated effects on neurite outgrowth can be blocked by co-expression of dominant-negative mutants of C-Raf1 or mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MEK1). Moreover, expression of dominant-negative Rit is sufficient to inhibit NGF-induced neurite outgrowth. Expression of active Rit inhibits growth factor-withdrawal mediated apoptosis of PC6 cells, but does not induce phosphorylation of Akt/protein kinase B, suggesting that survival does not utilize the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. Instead, pharmacological inhibitors of MEK block Rit-stimulated cell survival. Taken together, these studies suggest that Rit represents a distinct regulatory protein, capable of mediating differentiation and cell survival in PC6 cells using a MEK-dependent signaling pathway to achieve its effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael L Spencer
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0298, USA
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Murphy GA, Graham SM, Morita S, Reks SE, Rogers-Graham K, Vojtek A, Kelley GG, Der CJ. Involvement of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, but not RalGDS, in TC21/R-Ras2-mediated transformation. J Biol Chem 2002; 277:9966-75. [PMID: 11788587 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m109059200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncogenic Ras and activated forms of the Ras-related protein TC21/R-Ras2 share similar abilities to alter cell proliferation. However, in contrast to Ras, we found previously that TC21 fails to activate the Raf-1 serine/threonine kinase. Thus, TC21 must utilize non-Raf effectors to regulate cell function. In this study, we determined that TC21 interacts strongly with some (RalGDS, RGL, RGL2/Rlf, AF6, and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) catalytic subunit p110delta), and weakly with other Ras small middle dotGTP-binding proteins. In addition, library screening identified novel TC21-interacting proteins. We also determined that TC21, similar to Ras, mediates activation of phospholipase Cepsilon. We then examined if RalGDS, a RalA guanine nucleotide exchange factor, or PI3K are effectors for TC21-mediated signaling and cell proliferation in murine fibroblasts. We found that overexpression of full-length RalGDS reduced the focus forming activity of activated TC21. Furthermore, expression of activated Ras, but not TC21, enhanced GTP loading on RalA. In fact, TC21 attenuated insulin-stimulated RalA small middle dotGTP formation. In contrast, like Ras, expression of activated TC21 resulted in membrane translocation and an increase in the PI3K-dependent phosphorylation of Akt, and inhibition of PI3K activity interfered with TC21 focus formation. Finally, unlike Ras, TC21 did not activate the Rac small GTPase, indicating that Ras may not activate Rac by PI3K. Taken together, these results suggest that PI3K, but not RalGDS, is an important mediator of cell proliferation by TC21.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gretchen A Murphy
- Department of Pharmacology and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7295, USA.
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Rong R, He Q, Liu Y, Sheikh MS, Huang Y. TC21 mediates transformation and cell survival via activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt and NF-kappaB signaling pathway. Oncogene 2002; 21:1062-70. [PMID: 11850823 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1205154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2001] [Revised: 10/25/2001] [Accepted: 10/31/2001] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The signaling pathways of TC21-mediated transformation and cell survival are not well-established. In this study, we have investigated the role of PI3-K/Akt signaling pathway in oncogenic-TC21-mediated transformation and cell survival. We found that oncogenic-TC21 stimulated the PI3-K activity. This was associated with the activation of Akt, a key component of PI3-K signaling pathway. We also found that TC21 interacted and formed complex with PI3-K. Mutations in the GTP-binding region of TC21, which enhanced GTP-binding potential of this protein, also stimulated its association with PI3-K, suggesting that PI3-K may preferentially interact with the GTP-bound form. Suppression of PI3-K and Akt by specific inhibitors LY294002 and Wortmannin reversed TC21-induced transformation. Likewise, inhibition of PI3-K activity by the PI3-K phosphotase PTEN reduced TC21-mediated focus formation in NIH3T3 cells. Investigation of TC21's effect on cell survival revealed that mutant-TC21 expressing cells were more resistant to etoposide- and cisplatin-induced cell death, and this was associated with the activation of anti-apoptotic protein NF-kappaB, a downstream target of Akt. Treatment of PI3-K inhibitor LY294002 significantly suppressed TC21-mediated NF-kappaB activation. In conclusion, we have identified PI3-K as an effector of TC21 and demonstrated that the PI3-K/Akt signaling pathway plays important roles in TC21-mediated transformation and cell survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Rong
- Department of Pharmacology, State University of New York, Upstate Medical University, 750 E. Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
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Kukushkin AN, Abramova MV, Svetlikova SB, Darieva ZA, Pospelova TV, Pospelov VA. Downregulation of c-fos gene transcription in cells transformed by E1A and cHa-ras oncogenes: a role of sustained activation of MAP/ERK kinase cascade and of inactive chromatin structure at c-fos promoter. Oncogene 2002; 21:719-30. [PMID: 11850800 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1205118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2001] [Revised: 10/30/2001] [Accepted: 10/30/2001] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
REF cells transformed by oncogenes E1A and cHa-ras reveal high and constitutive DNA-binding activity of AP-1 factor lacking in c-Fos protein. Consistently, the transcription of c-fos gene has been found to be downregulated. To elucidate the mechanisms of c-fos downregulation in E1A+cHa-ras transformants, we studied the levels of activity of ERK, JNK/SAPK and p38 kinases and phosphorylation state of Elk-1 transcription factor involved in regulation of c-fos gene. Using two approaches, Western blot analysis with phospho-specific antibodies to MAP kinases and in vitro kinase assay with specific substrates, we show here that ectopic expression of E1A and ras oncogenes leads to a sustained activation of ERK and p38 kinases, whereas JNK/SAPK kinase activity is similar to that in non-transformed REF52 cells. Due to sustained activity of the MAP kinase cascades, Elk-1 transcription factor is being phosphorylated even in serum-starved E1A+cHa-ras cells; moreover, serum does not additionally increase phosphorylation of Elk-1, which is predominant TCF protein bound to SRE region of c-fos gene promoter in these cells. Although the amount of ternary complexes SRE/SRF/TCF estimated by EMSA was similar both in serum-starved and serum-stimulated transformed cells, serum addition still caused a modest activation of c-fos gene transcription at the level of 20% to normal REF cells. In attempt to determine how serum caused the stimulatory effect, we found that PD98059, an inhibitor of MEK/ERK kinase cascade, completely suppressed serum-induced c-fos transcription both in REF and E1A+cHa-ras cells, implicating the ERK as primary kinase for c-fos transcription in these cells. In contrast, SB203580, an inhibitor of p38 kinase, augmented noticeably serum-stimulated transcription of c-fos gene in REF cells, implying the involvement of p38 kinase in negative regulation of c-fos. Furthermore, sodium butyrate, an inhibitor of histone deacetylase activity, was capable of activating c-fos transcription both in serum-stimulated and even in serum-starved E1A+cHa-ras cells. Conversely, serum-starved REF cells fail to respond to sodium butyrate treatment by c-fos activation confirming necessity of prior Elk-1 phosphorylation. Taken together, these data suggest that downregulation of c-fos in E1A+cHa-ras cells seems to occur due to a maintenance of a refractory state that arises in normal REF cells after serum-stimulation. The refractory state of c-fos in E1A+cHa-ras cells is likely a consequence of Ras-induced sustained activation of MAPK (ERK) cascade and persistent phosphorylation of TCF (Elk-1) bound to SRE. Combination of these events eventually does contribute to formation of an inactive chromatin structure at c-fos promoter mediated through recruitment of histone deacetylase activity.
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Graham SM, Rogers-Graham K, Figueroa C, Der CJ, Vojtek AB. Analyses of TC21/R-Ras2 signaling and biological activity. Methods Enzymol 2001; 333:203-16. [PMID: 11400337 DOI: 10.1016/s0076-6879(01)33057-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- S M Graham
- Zoological Institute, Zurich University, Zurich, Switzerland
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Bani-Yaghoub M, Felker JM, Ozog MA, Bechberger JF, Naus CC. Array analysis of the genes regulated during neuronal differentiation of human embryonal cells. Biochem Cell Biol 2001. [DOI: 10.1139/o01-024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in genetic technology have provided a new platform on which the simultaneous analysis of a large number of genes is possible in a rapid and efficient fashion. To assess the differential expression of human genes during neuronal differentiation, we compared the transcript profiles of undifferentiated, partially differentiated, and fully differentiated NT2/D1 cultures with cDNA expression arrays. Approximately 75 genes (13% of the gene array pool) were differentially expressed during neuronal development of NT2/D1 cells. Genes coding for pyruvate kinase M2 isozyme, clathrin assembly proteins, calmodulin, fibronectin, laminin, thymosin β-10, and many others were upregulated as NT2/D1 cells differentiated into neurons. In contrast, several kinases, phosphatases, and G-protein coupled receptor genes showed downregulation upon neuronal differentiation. The information provided here is an invaluable reference for characterizing the phenotype of these cells. This information can also be used in cell therapy and transplantation in which the graft microenvironment and interaction with the host tissue is crucial.Key words: Atlas cDNA expression arrays, differentiation, neurodevelopment, neuron, NT2/D1 cells.
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Ohba Y, Ikuta K, Ogura A, Matsuda J, Mochizuki N, Nagashima K, Kurokawa K, Mayer BJ, Maki K, Miyazaki JI, Matsuda M. Requirement for C3G-dependent Rap1 activation for cell adhesion and embryogenesis. EMBO J 2001; 20:3333-41. [PMID: 11432821 PMCID: PMC125518 DOI: 10.1093/emboj/20.13.3333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
C3G is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for Rap1, and is activated via Crk adaptor protein. To understand the physiological role of C3G, we generated C3G knockout mice. C3G(-/-) homozygous mice died before embryonic day 7.5. The lethality was rescued by the expression of the human C3G transgene, which could be excised upon the expression of Cre recombinase. From the embryo of this mouse, we prepared fibroblast cell lines, MEF-hC3G. Expression of Cre abolished the expression of C3G in MEF-hC3G and inhibited cell adhesion-induced activation of Rap1. The Cre-expressing MEF-hC3G showed impaired cell adhesion, delayed cell spreading and accelerated cell migration. The accelerated cell migration was suppressed by the expression of active Rap1, Rap2 and R-Ras. Expression of Epac and CalDAG-GEFI, GEFs for Rap1, also suppressed the accelerated migration of the C3G-deficient cells. This observation indicated that Rap1 activation was sufficient to complement the C3G deficiency. In conclusion, C3G-dependent activation of Rap1 is required for adhesion and spreading of embryonic fibroblasts and for the early embryogenesis of the mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Koichi Ikuta
- Department of Tumor Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871,
Department of Medical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Department of Veterinary Science, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Departmtent of Structural Analysis, National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Suita, Osaka 565-8565, Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, Department of Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8638, Department of Immune Regulation, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8519, Department of Nutrition and Physiological Chemistry, Osaka University Medical School, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan and Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA Corresponding author e-mail:
| | - Atsuo Ogura
- Department of Tumor Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871,
Department of Medical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Department of Veterinary Science, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Departmtent of Structural Analysis, National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Suita, Osaka 565-8565, Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, Department of Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8638, Department of Immune Regulation, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8519, Department of Nutrition and Physiological Chemistry, Osaka University Medical School, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan and Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA Corresponding author e-mail:
| | - Junichiro Matsuda
- Department of Tumor Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871,
Department of Medical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Department of Veterinary Science, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Departmtent of Structural Analysis, National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Suita, Osaka 565-8565, Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, Department of Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8638, Department of Immune Regulation, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8519, Department of Nutrition and Physiological Chemistry, Osaka University Medical School, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan and Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA Corresponding author e-mail:
| | - Naoki Mochizuki
- Department of Tumor Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871,
Department of Medical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Department of Veterinary Science, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Departmtent of Structural Analysis, National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Suita, Osaka 565-8565, Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, Department of Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8638, Department of Immune Regulation, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8519, Department of Nutrition and Physiological Chemistry, Osaka University Medical School, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan and Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA Corresponding author e-mail:
| | - Kazuo Nagashima
- Department of Tumor Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871,
Department of Medical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Department of Veterinary Science, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Departmtent of Structural Analysis, National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Suita, Osaka 565-8565, Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, Department of Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8638, Department of Immune Regulation, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8519, Department of Nutrition and Physiological Chemistry, Osaka University Medical School, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan and Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA Corresponding author e-mail:
| | | | - Bruce J. Mayer
- Department of Tumor Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871,
Department of Medical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Department of Veterinary Science, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Departmtent of Structural Analysis, National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Suita, Osaka 565-8565, Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, Department of Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8638, Department of Immune Regulation, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8519, Department of Nutrition and Physiological Chemistry, Osaka University Medical School, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan and Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA Corresponding author e-mail:
| | - Kazushige Maki
- Department of Tumor Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871,
Department of Medical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Department of Veterinary Science, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Departmtent of Structural Analysis, National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Suita, Osaka 565-8565, Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, Department of Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8638, Department of Immune Regulation, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8519, Department of Nutrition and Physiological Chemistry, Osaka University Medical School, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan and Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA Corresponding author e-mail:
| | - Jun-ichi Miyazaki
- Department of Tumor Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871,
Department of Medical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Department of Veterinary Science, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Departmtent of Structural Analysis, National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Suita, Osaka 565-8565, Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, Department of Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8638, Department of Immune Regulation, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8519, Department of Nutrition and Physiological Chemistry, Osaka University Medical School, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan and Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA Corresponding author e-mail:
| | - Michiyuki Matsuda
- Department of Tumor Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871,
Department of Medical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Department of Veterinary Science, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Departmtent of Structural Analysis, National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Suita, Osaka 565-8565, Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, Department of Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8638, Department of Immune Regulation, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8519, Department of Nutrition and Physiological Chemistry, Osaka University Medical School, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan and Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA Corresponding author e-mail:
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Rosário M, Paterson HF, Marshall CJ. Activation of the Ral and phosphatidylinositol 3' kinase signaling pathways by the ras-related protein TC21. Mol Cell Biol 2001; 21:3750-62. [PMID: 11340168 PMCID: PMC87018 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.21.11.3750-3762.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
TC21 is a member of the Ras superfamily of small GTP-binding proteins that, like Ras, has been implicated in the regulation of growth-stimulating pathways. We have previously identified the Raf/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway as a direct TC21 effector pathway required for TC21-induced transformation (M. Rosário, H. F. Paterson, and C. J. Marshall, EMBO J. 18:1270-1279, 1999). In this study we have identified two further effector pathways for TC21, which contribute to TC21-stimulated transformation: the phosphatidylinositol 3' kinase (PI-3K) and Ral signaling pathways. Expression of constitutively active TC21 leads to the activation of Ral A and the PI-3K-dependent activation of Akt/protein kinase B. Strong activation of the PI-3K/Akt pathway is seen even with very low levels of TC21 expression, suggesting that TC21 may be a key small GTPase-regulator of PI-3K. TC21-induced alterations in cellular morphology in NIH 3T3 and PC12 cells are also PI-3K dependent. On the other hand, activation of the Ral pathway by TC21 is required for TC21-stimulated DNA synthesis but not transformed morphology. We show that inhibition of Ral signaling blocks DNA synthesis in human tumor cell lines containing activating mutations in TC21, demonstrating for the first time that this pathway is required for the proliferation of human tumor cells. Finally, we provide mechanisms for the activation of these pathways, namely, the direct in vivo interaction of TC21 with guanine nucleotide exchange factors for Ral, resulting in their translocation to the plasma membrane, and the direct interaction of TC21 with PI-3K. In both cases, the effector domain region of TC21 is required since point mutations in this region can interfere with activation of downstream signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Rosário
- CRC Centre for Cell and Molecular Biology, Chester Beatty Laboratories, Institute of Cancer Research, London SW3 6JB, United Kingdom
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Abstract
The ras genes give rise to a family of related proteins that have strong transforming potential. Typical in vitro studies fail to discriminate between the transforming activity of the Ras proteins. Although activating mutations in ras genes are commonly found in human disease, they are not evenly distributed between the different ras members. Instead, they are concentrated in k-ras. With the absence of evidence to suggest that k-ras DNA is more prone to mutation than h-ras DNA, this imbalance in mutational frequency suggests a special biological role for the K-Ras protein in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A Ellis
- Department Cell and Cancer Biology, NCI, NIH, 9610 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD 20850-3300, USA
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50
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Ohba Y, Mochizuki N, Yamashita S, Chan AM, Schrader JW, Hattori S, Nagashima K, Matsuda M. Regulatory proteins of R-Ras, TC21/R-Ras2, and M-Ras/R-Ras3. J Biol Chem 2000; 275:20020-6. [PMID: 10777492 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m000981200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
We studied the regulation of three closely related members of Ras family G proteins, R-Ras, TC21 (also known as R-Ras2), and M-Ras (R-Ras3). Guanine nucleotide exchange of R-Ras and TC21 was promoted by RasGRF, C3G, CalDAG-GEFI, CalDAG-GEFII (RasGRP), and CalDAG-GEFIII both in 293T cells and in vitro. By contrast, guanine nucleotide exchange of M-Ras was promoted by the guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) for the classical Ras (Ha-, K-, and N-), including mSos, RasGRF, CalDAG-GEFII, and CalDAG-GEFIII. GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) for Ras, Gap1(m), p120 GAP, and NF-1 stimulated all of the R-Ras, TC21, and M-Ras proteins, whereas R-Ras GAP stimulated R-Ras and TC21 but not M-Ras. We did not find any remarkable difference in the subcellular localization of R-Ras, TC21, or M-Ras when these were expressed with a green fluorescent protein tag in 293T cells and MDCK cells. In conclusion, TC21 and R-Ras were regulated by the same GEFs and GAPs, whereas M-Ras was regulated as the classical Ras.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Ohba
- Department of Pathology, Research Institute, International Medical Center of Japan, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 182-8655, Japan
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