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Dynamic regulation of RAS and RAS signaling. Biochem J 2023; 480:1-23. [PMID: 36607281 PMCID: PMC9988006 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20220234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
RAS proteins regulate most aspects of cellular physiology. They are mutated in 30% of human cancers and 4% of developmental disorders termed Rasopathies. They cycle between active GTP-bound and inactive GDP-bound states. When active, they can interact with a wide range of effectors that control fundamental biochemical and biological processes. Emerging evidence suggests that RAS proteins are not simple on/off switches but sophisticated information processing devices that compute cell fate decisions by integrating external and internal cues. A critical component of this compute function is the dynamic regulation of RAS activation and downstream signaling that allows RAS to produce a rich and nuanced spectrum of biological outputs. We discuss recent findings how the dynamics of RAS and its downstream signaling is regulated. Starting from the structural and biochemical properties of wild-type and mutant RAS proteins and their activation cycle, we examine higher molecular assemblies, effector interactions and downstream signaling outputs, all under the aspect of dynamic regulation. We also consider how computational and mathematical modeling approaches contribute to analyze and understand the pleiotropic functions of RAS in health and disease.
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Zhang S, Zhang Y, Chen X, Xu J, Fang H, Li Y, Liu Y, He H. Design and Structural Optimization of Orally Bioavailable SOS1 Inhibitors for the Treatment of KRAS-Driven Carcinoma. J Med Chem 2022; 65:15856-15877. [PMID: 36384290 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
KRAS mutations (G12C, G12D, etc.) are implicated in the oncogenesis and progression of many refractory cancers. Son of sevenless homolog 1 (SOS1) is a key regulator of KRAS to modulate KRAS from inactive to active states. Herein, we disclosed efficacy-improving tetra-cyclic quinazoline derivatives as an enhanced scaffold for inhibiting the SOS1-KRAS interaction. Compound 37, which conjugated 1-carbonitrile-cyclopropane to tetra-cyclic quinazoline, showed a twofold higher oral drug exposure and 2.5-fold longer half-life than BI-3406 in CD-1 mouse plasma. In a Mia-paca-2 xenograft model, 37 administrated alone inhibited tumor growth by 71%. Preclinical investigations demonstrated that 37 had a limited inhibition of CYP and hERG. Overall, our studies showed that 37 was a promising drug candidate for treatment of KRAS-driven cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Coal Conversion and New Carbon Materials of Hubei Province, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan430081, P. R. China.,Wuhan Yuxiang Pharmaceutial Technology Co., Ltd., Wuhan430200, P. R. China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Coal Conversion and New Carbon Materials of Hubei Province, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan430081, P. R. China
| | - Xin Chen
- School of Life Science and Technology & School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan430023, P. R. China
| | - Juan Xu
- Wuhan Yuxiang Pharmaceutial Technology Co., Ltd., Wuhan430200, P. R. China.,College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hubei Polytechnic University, Huangshi435003, P. R. China
| | - Huaxiang Fang
- Wuhan Yuxiang Pharmaceutial Technology Co., Ltd., Wuhan430200, P. R. China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- School of Life Science and Technology & School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan430023, P. R. China.,Wuhan Yuxiang Pharmaceutial Technology Co., Ltd., Wuhan430200, P. R. China
| | - Yi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Coal Conversion and New Carbon Materials of Hubei Province, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan430081, P. R. China.,School of Life Science and Technology & School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan430023, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Membrane Separation and Membrane Process & Engineering Research Center of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment Technology and Equipment (MOE), School of Chemistry, Tiangong University, Tianjin300387, P. R. China
| | - Huan He
- Key Laboratory of Coal Conversion and New Carbon Materials of Hubei Province, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan430081, P. R. China.,Wuhan Yuxiang Pharmaceutial Technology Co., Ltd., Wuhan430200, P. R. China
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Fowlkes JL, Thrailkill KM, Bunn RC. RASopathies: The musculoskeletal consequences and their etiology and pathogenesis. Bone 2021; 152:116060. [PMID: 34144233 PMCID: PMC8316423 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2021.116060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The RASopathies comprise an ever-growing number of clinical syndromes resulting from germline mutations in components of the RAS/MAPK signaling pathway. While multiple organs and tissues may be affected by these mutations, this review will focus on how these mutations specifically impact the musculoskeletal system. Herein, we review the genetics and musculoskeletal phenotypes of these syndromes in humans. We discuss how mutations in the RASopathy syndromes have been studied in translational mouse models. Finally, we discuss how signaling molecules within the RAS/MAPK pathway are involved in normal and abnormal bone biology in the context of osteoblasts, osteoclasts and chondrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- John L Fowlkes
- University of Kentucky Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536, United States of America.
| | - Kathryn M Thrailkill
- University of Kentucky Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536, United States of America
| | - R Clay Bunn
- University of Kentucky Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536, United States of America
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Rac-dependent feedforward autoactivation of NOX2 leads to oxidative burst. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:100982. [PMID: 34293347 PMCID: PMC8353492 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) produces the superoxide anion radical (O2−), which has functions in both cell signaling and immune defense. NOX2 is a multimeric-protein complex consisting of several protein subunits including the GTPase Rac. NOX2 uniquely facilitates an oxidative burst, which is described by initially slow O2− production, which increases over time. The NOX2 oxidative burst is considered critical to immune defense because it enables expedited O2− production in response to infections. However, the mechanism of the initiation and progression of this oxidative burst and its implications for regulation of NOX2 have not been clarified. In this study, we show that the NOX2 oxidative burst is a result of autoactivation of NOX2 coupled with the redox function of Rac. NOX2 autoactivation begins when active Rac triggers NOX2 activation and the subsequent production of O2−, which in turn activates redox-sensitive Rac. This activated Rac further activates NOX2, amplifying the feedforward cycle and resulting in a NOX2-mediated oxidative burst. Using mutagenesis-based kinetic and cell analyses, we show that enzymatic activation of Rac is exclusively responsible for production of the active Rac trigger that initiates NOX2 autoactivation, whereas redox-mediated Rac activation is the main driving force of NOX2 autoactivation and contributes to generation of ∼98% of the active NOX2 in cells. The results of this study provide insight into the regulation of NOX2 function, which could be used to develop therapeutics to control immune responses associated with dysregulated NOX2 oxidative bursts.
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Sheffels E, Kortum RL. The Role of Wild-Type RAS in Oncogenic RAS Transformation. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12050662. [PMID: 33924994 PMCID: PMC8146411 DOI: 10.3390/genes12050662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The RAS family of oncogenes (HRAS, NRAS, and KRAS) are among the most frequently mutated protein families in cancers. RAS-mutated tumors were originally thought to proliferate independently of upstream signaling inputs, but we now know that non-mutated wild-type (WT) RAS proteins play an important role in modulating downstream effector signaling and driving therapeutic resistance in RAS-mutated cancers. This modulation is complex as different WT RAS family members have opposing functions. The protein product of the WT RAS allele of the same isoform as mutated RAS is often tumor-suppressive and lost during tumor progression. In contrast, RTK-dependent activation of the WT RAS proteins from the two non-mutated WT RAS family members is tumor-promoting. Further, rebound activation of RTK–WT RAS signaling underlies therapeutic resistance to targeted therapeutics in RAS-mutated cancers. The contributions of WT RAS to proliferation and transformation in RAS-mutated cancer cells places renewed interest in upstream signaling molecules, including the phosphatase/adaptor SHP2 and the RasGEFs SOS1 and SOS2, as potential therapeutic targets in RAS-mutated cancers.
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Baltanás FC, Zarich N, Rojas-Cabañeros JM, Santos E. SOS GEFs in health and disease. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2020; 1874:188445. [PMID: 33035641 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2020.188445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
SOS1 and SOS2 are the most universal and widely expressed family of guanine exchange factors (GEFs) capable or activating RAS or RAC1 proteins in metazoan cells. SOS proteins contain a sequence of modular domains that are responsible for different intramolecular and intermolecular interactions modulating mechanisms of self-inhibition, allosteric activation and intracellular homeostasis. Despite their homology, analyses of SOS1/2-KO mice demonstrate functional prevalence of SOS1 over SOS2 in cellular processes including proliferation, migration, inflammation or maintenance of intracellular redox homeostasis, although some functional redundancy cannot be excluded, particularly at the organismal level. Specific SOS1 gain-of-function mutations have been identified in inherited RASopathies and various sporadic human cancers. SOS1 depletion reduces tumorigenesis mediated by RAS or RAC1 in mouse models and is associated with increased intracellular oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Since WT RAS is essential for development of RAS-mutant tumors, the SOS GEFs may be considered as relevant biomarkers or therapy targets in RAS-dependent cancers. Inhibitors blocking SOS expression, intrinsic GEF activity, or productive SOS protein-protein interactions with cellular regulators and/or RAS/RAC targets have been recently developed and shown preclinical and clinical effectiveness blocking aberrant RAS signaling in RAS-driven and RTK-driven tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando C Baltanás
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer - IBMCC (CSIC-USAL) and CIBERONC, Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Natasha Zarich
- Unidad Funcional de Investigación de Enfermedades Crónicas (UFIEC) and CIBERONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose M Rojas-Cabañeros
- Unidad Funcional de Investigación de Enfermedades Crónicas (UFIEC) and CIBERONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eugenio Santos
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer - IBMCC (CSIC-USAL) and CIBERONC, Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain.
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