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Chippalkatti R, Parisi B, Kouzi F, Laurini C, Ben Fredj N, Abankwa DK. RAS isoform specific activities are disrupted by disease associated mutations during cell differentiation. Eur J Cell Biol 2024; 103:151425. [PMID: 38795504 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2024.151425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The RAS-MAPK-pathway is aberrantly regulated in cancer and developmental diseases called RASopathies. While typically the impact of Ras on the proliferation of various cancer cell lines is assessed, it is poorly established how Ras affects cellular differentiation. Here we implement the C2C12 myoblast cell line to systematically study the effect of Ras mutants and Ras-pathway drugs on differentiation. We first provide evidence that a minor pool of Pax7+ progenitors replenishes a major pool of transit amplifying cells that are ready to differentiate. Our data indicate that Ras isoforms have distinct roles in the differentiating culture, where K-Ras depletion increases and H-Ras depletion decreases terminal differentiation. This assay could therefore provide significant new insights into Ras biology and Ras-driven diseases. In line with this, we found that all oncogenic Ras mutants block terminal differentiation of transit amplifying cells. By contrast, RASopathy associated K-Ras variants were less able to block differentiation. Profiling of eight targeted Ras-pathway drugs on seven oncogenic Ras mutants revealed their allele-specific activities and distinct abilities to restore normal differentiation as compared to triggering cell death. In particular, the MEK-inhibitor trametinib could broadly restore differentiation, while the mTOR-inhibitor rapamycin broadly suppressed differentiation. We expect that this quantitative assessment of the impact of Ras-pathway mutants and drugs on cellular differentiation has great potential to complement cancer cell proliferation data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohan Chippalkatti
- Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette 4362, Luxembourg
| | - Bianca Parisi
- Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette 4362, Luxembourg
| | - Farah Kouzi
- Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette 4362, Luxembourg
| | - Christina Laurini
- Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette 4362, Luxembourg
| | - Nesrine Ben Fredj
- Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette 4362, Luxembourg
| | - Daniel Kwaku Abankwa
- Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette 4362, Luxembourg.
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Papadopoulou A, Bountouvi E. Skeletal defects and bone metabolism in Noonan, Costello and cardio-facio-cutaneous syndromes. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1231828. [PMID: 37964950 PMCID: PMC10641803 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1231828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Noonan, Costello and Cardio-facio-cutaneous syndromes belong to a group of disorders named RASopathies due to their common pathogenetic origin that lies on the Ras/MAPK signaling pathway. Genetics has eased, at least in part, the distinction of these entities as they are presented with overlapping clinical features which, sometimes, become more pronounced with age. Distinctive face, cardiac and skeletal defects are among the primary abnormalities seen in these patients. Skeletal dysmorphisms range from mild to severe and may include anterior chest wall anomalies, scoliosis, kyphosis, short stature, hand anomalies, muscle weakness, osteopenia or/and osteoporosis. Patients usually have increased serum concentrations of bone resorption markers, while markers of bone formation are within normal range. The causative molecular defects encompass the members of the Ras/MAPK/ERK pathway and the adjacent cascades, important for the maintenance of normal bone homeostasis. It has been suggested that modulation of the expression of specific molecules involved in the processes of bone remodeling may affect the osteogenic fate decision, potentially, bringing out new pharmaceutical targets. Currently, the laboratory imprint of bone metabolism on the clinical picture of the affected individuals is not clear, maybe due to the rarity of these syndromes, the small number of the recruited patients and the methods used for the description of their clinical and biochemical profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Papadopoulou
- Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry, University General Hospital “Attikon”, Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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3
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Zenker M. Clinical overview on RASopathies. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS. PART C, SEMINARS IN MEDICAL GENETICS 2022; 190:414-424. [PMID: 36428239 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.c.32015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
RASopathies comprise a group of clinically overlapping developmental disorders caused by genetic variations affecting components or modulators of the RAS-MAPK signaling cascade, which lead to dysregulation of signal flow through this pathway. Noonan syndrome and the less frequent, clinically related disorders, Costello syndrome, cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome, Noonan syndrome with multiple lentigines, and Noonan syndrome-like disorder with loose anagen hair are part of the RASopathy spectrum and share a recognizable pattern of multisystem involvement. This review describes the "Noonan syndrome-like" phenotype as a common phenotypic signature of generalized developmental RAS pathway dysregulation. Distinctive features of the different entities are revisited against the background of the understanding of underlying genetic alterations and genotype correlations, which has evolved rapidly during the past 20 years, thereby leading to suggestions regarding the nosology of RASopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Zenker
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Magdeburg, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
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4
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Cirstea IC, Moll HP, Tuckermann J. Glucocorticoid receptor and RAS: an unexpected couple in cancer. Trends Cell Biol 2022:S0962-8924(22)00253-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2022.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Bajia D, Bottani E, Derwich K. Effects of Noonan Syndrome-Germline Mutations on Mitochondria and Energy Metabolism. Cells 2022; 11:cells11193099. [PMID: 36231062 PMCID: PMC9563972 DOI: 10.3390/cells11193099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Noonan syndrome (NS) and related Noonan syndrome with multiple lentigines (NSML) contribute to the pathogenesis of human diseases in the RASopathy family. This family of genetic disorders constitute one of the largest groups of developmental disorders with variable penetrance and severity, associated with distinctive congenital disabilities, including facial features, cardiopathies, growth and skeletal abnormalities, developmental delay/mental retardation, and tumor predisposition. NS was first clinically described decades ago, and several genes have since been identified, providing a molecular foundation to understand their physiopathology and identify targets for therapeutic strategies. These genes encode proteins that participate in, or regulate, RAS/MAPK signalling. The RAS pathway regulates cellular metabolism by controlling mitochondrial homeostasis, dynamics, and energy production; however, little is known about the role of mitochondrial metabolism in NS and NSML. This manuscript comprehensively reviews the most frequently mutated genes responsible for NS and NSML, covering their role in the current knowledge of cellular signalling pathways, and focuses on the pathophysiological outcomes on mitochondria and energy metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald Bajia
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Transplantology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Ul. Fredry 10, 61701 Poznan, Poland
| | - Emanuela Bottani
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Pharmacology, University of Verona, Piazzale L. A. Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Italy
- Correspondence: (E.B.); (K.D.); Tel.: +39-3337149584 (E.B.); +48-504199285 (K.D.)
| | - Katarzyna Derwich
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Transplantology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Ul. Fredry 10, 61701 Poznan, Poland
- Correspondence: (E.B.); (K.D.); Tel.: +39-3337149584 (E.B.); +48-504199285 (K.D.)
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Johnson C, Burkhart DL, Haigis KM. Classification of KRAS-Activating Mutations and the Implications for Therapeutic Intervention. Cancer Discov 2022; 12:913-923. [PMID: 35373279 PMCID: PMC8988514 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-22-0035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Members of the family of RAS proto-oncogenes, discovered just over 40 years ago, were among the first cancer-initiating genes to be discovered. Of the three RAS family members, KRAS is the most frequently mutated in human cancers. Despite intensive biological and biochemical study of RAS proteins over the past four decades, we are only now starting to devise therapeutic strategies to target their oncogenic properties. Here, we highlight the distinct biochemical properties of common and rare KRAS alleles, enabling their classification into functional subtypes. We also discuss the implications of this functional classification for potential therapeutic avenues targeting mutant subtypes. SIGNIFICANCE Efforts in the recent past to inhibit KRAS oncogenicity have focused on kinases that function in downstream signal transduction cascades, although preclinical successes have not translated to patients with KRAS-mutant cancer. Recently, clinically effective covalent inhibitors of KRASG12C have been developed, establishing two principles that form a foundation for future efforts. First, KRAS is druggable. Second, each mutant form of KRAS is likely to have properties that make it uniquely druggable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Johnson
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medicine, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Deborah L Burkhart
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medicine, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kevin M Haigis
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medicine, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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7
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Caratti B, Fidan M, Caratti G, Breitenecker K, Engler M, Kazemitash N, Traut R, Wittig R, Casanova E, Ahmadian MR, Tuckermann JP, Moll HP, Cirstea IC. The glucocorticoid receptor associates with RAS complexes to inhibit cell proliferation and tumor growth. Sci Signal 2022; 15:eabm4452. [PMID: 35316097 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.abm4452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Mutations that activate members of the RAS family of GTPases are associated with various cancers and drive tumor growth. The glucocorticoid receptor (GR), a member of the nuclear receptor family, has been proposed to interact with and inhibit the activation of components of the PI3K-AKT and MAPK pathways downstream of RAS. In the absence of activating ligands, we found that GR was present in cytoplasmic KRAS-containing complexes and inhibited the activation of wild-type and oncogenic KRAS in mouse embryonic fibroblasts and human lung cancer A549 cells. The DNA binding domain of GR was involved in the interaction with KRAS, but GR-dependent inhibition of RAS activation did not depend on the nuclear translocation of GR. The addition of ligand released GR-dependent inhibition of RAS, AKT, the MAPK p38, and the MAPKK MEK. CRISPR-Cas9-mediated deletion of GR in A549 cells enhanced tumor growth in xenografts in mice. Patient samples of non-small cell lung carcinomas showed lower expression of NR3C1, the gene encoding GR, compared to adjacent normal tissues and lower NR3C1 expression correlated with a worse disease outcome. These results suggest that glucocorticoids prevent the ability of GR to limit tumor growth by inhibiting RAS activation, which has potential implications for the use of glucocorticoids in patients with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bozhena Caratti
- Institute of Comparative Molecular Endocrinology, University of Ulm, Helmholtzstrasse 8/1, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Miray Fidan
- Institute of Comparative Molecular Endocrinology, University of Ulm, Helmholtzstrasse 8/1, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Giorgio Caratti
- Institute of Comparative Molecular Endocrinology, University of Ulm, Helmholtzstrasse 8/1, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Kristina Breitenecker
- Department of Pharmacology, Center of Physiology and Pharmacology, Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Melanie Engler
- Institute of Comparative Molecular Endocrinology, University of Ulm, Helmholtzstrasse 8/1, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Naser Kazemitash
- Institute of Comparative Molecular Endocrinology, University of Ulm, Helmholtzstrasse 8/1, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Rebecca Traut
- Institute of Comparative Molecular Endocrinology, University of Ulm, Helmholtzstrasse 8/1, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Rainer Wittig
- Institute for Laser Technologies in Medicine and Metrology (ILM), University of Ulm, Helmholtzstrasse 12, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Emilio Casanova
- Department of Pharmacology, Center of Physiology and Pharmacology, Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Mohammad Reza Ahmadian
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty of the Heinrich Heine University, Universitätsstraße 1, Building 22.03.05, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jan P Tuckermann
- Institute of Comparative Molecular Endocrinology, University of Ulm, Helmholtzstrasse 8/1, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Herwig P Moll
- Department of Pharmacology, Center of Physiology and Pharmacology, Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Ion Cristian Cirstea
- Institute of Comparative Molecular Endocrinology, University of Ulm, Helmholtzstrasse 8/1, 89081 Ulm, Germany
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Hidalgo F, Nocka LM, Shah NH, Gorday K, Latorraca NR, Bandaru P, Templeton S, Lee D, Karandur D, Pelton JG, Marqusee S, Wemmer D, Kuriyan J. A saturation-mutagenesis analysis of the interplay between stability and activation in Ras. eLife 2022; 11:e76595. [PMID: 35272765 PMCID: PMC8916776 DOI: 10.7554/elife.76595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer mutations in Ras occur predominantly at three hotspots: Gly 12, Gly 13, and Gln 61. Previously, we reported that deep mutagenesis of H-Ras using a bacterial assay identified many other activating mutations (Bandaru et al., 2017). We now show that the results of saturation mutagenesis of H-Ras in mammalian Ba/F3 cells correlate well with the results of bacterial experiments in which H-Ras or K-Ras are co-expressed with a GTPase-activating protein (GAP). The prominent cancer hotspots are not dominant in the Ba/F3 data. We used the bacterial system to mutagenize Ras constructs of different stabilities and discovered a feature that distinguishes the cancer hotspots. While mutations at the cancer hotspots activate Ras regardless of construct stability, mutations at lower-frequency sites (e.g. at Val 14 or Asp 119) can be activating or deleterious, depending on the stability of the Ras construct. We characterized the dynamics of three non-hotspot activating Ras mutants by using NMR to monitor hydrogen-deuterium exchange (HDX). These mutations result in global increases in HDX rates, consistent with destabilization of Ras. An explanation for these observations is that mutations that destabilize Ras increase nucleotide dissociation rates, enabling activation by spontaneous nucleotide exchange. A further stability decrease can lead to insufficient levels of folded Ras - and subsequent loss of function. In contrast, the cancer hotspot mutations are mechanism-based activators of Ras that interfere directly with the action of GAPs. Our results demonstrate the importance of GAP surveillance and protein stability in determining the sensitivity of Ras to mutational activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Hidalgo
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Laura M Nocka
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Neel H Shah
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- Department of Chemistry, Columbia UniversityNew YorkUnited States
| | - Kent Gorday
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- Biophysics Graduate Group, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Naomi R Latorraca
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Pradeep Bandaru
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Sage Templeton
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - David Lee
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Deepti Karandur
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Jeffrey G Pelton
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Susan Marqusee
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - David Wemmer
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - John Kuriyan
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
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9
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Bi-allelic variants in neuronal cell adhesion molecule cause a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by developmental delay, hypotonia, neuropathy/spasticity. Am J Hum Genet 2022; 109:518-532. [PMID: 35108495 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2022.01.004] [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: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell adhesion molecules are membrane-bound proteins predominantly expressed in the central nervous system along principal axonal pathways with key roles in nervous system development, neural cell differentiation and migration, axonal growth and guidance, myelination, and synapse formation. Here, we describe ten affected individuals with bi-allelic variants in the neuronal cell adhesion molecule NRCAM that lead to a neurodevelopmental syndrome of varying severity; the individuals are from eight families. This syndrome is characterized by developmental delay/intellectual disability, hypotonia, peripheral neuropathy, and/or spasticity. Computational analyses of NRCAM variants, many of which cluster in the third fibronectin type III (Fn-III) domain, strongly suggest a deleterious effect on NRCAM structure and function, including possible disruption of its interactions with other proteins. These findings are corroborated by previous in vitro studies of murine Nrcam-deficient cells, revealing abnormal neurite outgrowth, synaptogenesis, and formation of nodes of Ranvier on myelinated axons. Our studies on zebrafish nrcamaΔ mutants lacking the third Fn-III domain revealed that mutant larvae displayed significantly altered swimming behavior compared to wild-type larvae (p < 0.03). Moreover, nrcamaΔ mutants displayed a trend toward increased amounts of α-tubulin fibers in the dorsal telencephalon, demonstrating an alteration in white matter tracts and projections. Taken together, our study provides evidence that NRCAM disruption causes a variable form of a neurodevelopmental disorder and broadens the knowledge on the growing role of the cell adhesion molecule family in the nervous system.
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Tripathi S, Dsouza NR, Urrutia R, Zimmermann MT. Structural bioinformatics enhances mechanistic interpretation of genomic variation, demonstrated through the analyses of 935 distinct RAS family mutations. Bioinformatics 2021; 37:1367-1375. [PMID: 33226070 PMCID: PMC8208742 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btaa972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
MOTIVATION Protein-coding genetic alterations are frequently observed in Clinical Genetics, but the high yield of variants of uncertain significance remains a limitation in decision making. RAS-family GTPases are cancer drivers, but only 54 variants, across all family members, fall within well-known hotspots. However, extensive sequencing has identified 881 non-hotspot variants for which significance remains to be investigated. RESULTS Here, we evaluate 935 missense variants from seven RAS genes, observed in cancer, RASopathies and the healthy adult population. We characterized hotspot variants, previously studied experimentally, using 63 sequence- and 3D structure-based scores, chosen by their breadth of biophysical properties. Applying scores that display best correlation with experimental measures, we report new valuable mechanistic inferences for both hot-spot and non-hotspot variants. Moreover, we demonstrate that 3D scores have little-to-no correlation with those based on DNA sequence, which are commonly used in Clinical Genetics. Thus, combined, these new knowledge bear significant relevance. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION All genomic and 3D scores, and markdown for generating figures, are provided in our supplemental data. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swarnendu Tripathi
- Bioinformatics Research and Development Laboratory, Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine Center, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.,Precision Medicine Simulation Unit, Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine Center, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Nikita R Dsouza
- Bioinformatics Research and Development Laboratory, Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine Center, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.,Precision Medicine Simulation Unit, Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine Center, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Raul Urrutia
- Precision Medicine Simulation Unit, Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine Center, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.,Department of Surgery, Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine Center, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Michael T Zimmermann
- Bioinformatics Research and Development Laboratory, Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine Center, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.,Precision Medicine Simulation Unit, Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine Center, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.,Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine Center, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
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11
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Fidan M, Chennappan S, Cirstea IC. Studying Metabolic Abnormalities in the Costello Syndrome HRAS G12V Mouse Model: Isolation of Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts and Their In Vitro Adipocyte Differentiation. METHODS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (CLIFTON, N.J.) 2021; 2262:397-409. [PMID: 33977491 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1190-6_24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Costello syndrome (CS), characterized by a developmental delay and a failure to thrive, is also associated with an impaired lipid and energy metabolism. White adipose tissue is a central sensor of whole-body energy homeostasis, and HRAS hyperactivation may affect adipocyte differentiation and mature adipocyte homeostasis. An extremely useful tool for delineating in vitro intrinsic cellular signaling leading to metabolic alterations during adipogenesis is mouse embryonic fibroblasts, known to differentiate into adipocytes in response to adipogenesis-stimulating factors. Here, we describe in detail the isolation and maintenance of CS HRAS G12V mouse embryonic fibroblasts, their differentiation into adipocytes, and an assessment of adipocyte differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miray Fidan
- Institute of Comparative Molecular Endocrinology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
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12
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Engler M, Fidan M, Nandi S, Cirstea IC. Senescence in RASopathies, a possible novel contributor to a complex pathophenoype. Mech Ageing Dev 2020; 194:111411. [PMID: 33309600 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2020.111411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Senescence is a biological process that induces a permanent cell cycle arrest and a specific gene expression program in response to various stressors. Following studies over the last few decades, the concept of senescence has evolved from an antiproliferative mechanism in cancer (oncogene-induced senescence) to a critical component of physiological processes associated with embryonic development, tissue regeneration, ageing and its associated diseases. In somatic cells, oncogenic mutations in RAS-MAPK pathway genes are associated with oncogene-induced senescence and cancer, while germline mutations in the same pathway are linked to a group of monogenic developmental disorders generally termed RASopathies. Here, we consider that in these disorders, senescence induction may result in opposing outcomes, a tumour protective effect and a possible contributor to a premature ageing phenotype identified in Costello syndrome, which belongs to the RASopathy group. In this review, we will highlight the role of senescence in organismal homeostasis and we will describe the current knowledge about senescence in RASopathies. Additionally, we provide a perspective on examples of experimentally characterised RASopathy mutations that, alone or in combination with various stressors, may also trigger an age-dependent chronic senescence, possibly contributing to the age-dependent worsening of RASopathy pathophenotype and the reduction of lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Engler
- Institute of Comparative Molecular Endocrinology, Ulm University, Helmholtzstr. 8/1, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Miray Fidan
- Institute of Comparative Molecular Endocrinology, Ulm University, Helmholtzstr. 8/1, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Sayantan Nandi
- Institute of Comparative Molecular Endocrinology, Ulm University, Helmholtzstr. 8/1, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Ion Cristian Cirstea
- Institute of Comparative Molecular Endocrinology, Ulm University, Helmholtzstr. 8/1, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
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13
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Medina PM, Ponce JM, Cruz CA. Revealing the anticancer potential of candidate drugs in vivo using Caenorhabditis elegans mutant strains. Transl Oncol 2020; 14:100940. [PMID: 33221682 PMCID: PMC7689339 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2020.100940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the Wnt, Notch, and Ras-ERK signaling pathways in C. elegans lead to infertility, sterility, and multivulva formation. Phenotypic assays using C. elegans mutant strains can be used as in vivo models for drug repurposing. Itraconazole, disulfiram, etodolac, and ouabain have anticancer potential that can specifically target the Wnt, Notch, and RAS-ERK signaling pathways.
Drug repurposing is used as a strategy for finding new drugs for cancer. The process is a faster and a more cost-effective way of providing new indications for drugs that can address emerging drug resistance and numerous side effects of chemotherapeutic drugs. In this study, the in vivo anticancer potential of itraconazole, disulfiram, etodolac, and ouabain were assessed using five different C. elegans mutant strains. Each strain contains mutations in genes involved in different signaling pathways such as Wnt (JK3476), Notch (JK1107 and BS3164), and Ras-ERK (SD939 and MT2124) that result to phenotypes of sterility, infertility, and multivulva formation. These same signaling pathways have been shown to be defective in several human cancer types. The four candidate drugs were tested on the C. elegans mutant strains to determine if they rescue the mutant phenotypes. Both ouabain and etodolac significantly reduced the sterile and infertile phenotypes of JK3476, JK1107, BS3164, and SD939 strains (p=0.0010). Finally, itraconazole and etodolac significantly reduced multivulva formation (p=0.0021). The degrees of significant phenotypic rescues of each mutant were significantly higher than vehicle only (1% DMSO). Therefore, this study demonstrated that the four candidate drugs have anticancer potential in vivo, and etodolac had the highest anticancer potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Mark Medina
- Biological Models Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Metro Manila 1000, Philippines.
| | - Jozelle Marie Ponce
- Biological Models Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Metro Manila 1000, Philippines
| | - Christian Alfredo Cruz
- Biological Models Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Metro Manila 1000, Philippines
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14
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Motta M, Fidan M, Bellacchio E, Pantaleoni F, Schneider-Heieck K, Coppola S, Borck G, Salviati L, Zenker M, Cirstea IC, Tartaglia M. Dominant Noonan syndrome-causing LZTR1 mutations specifically affect the Kelch domain substrate-recognition surface and enhance RAS-MAPK signaling. Hum Mol Genet 2020; 28:1007-1022. [PMID: 30481304 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Revised: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Noonan syndrome (NS), the most common RASopathy, is caused by mutations affecting signaling through RAS and the MAPK cascade. Recently, genome scanning has discovered novel genes implicated in NS, whose function in RAS-MAPK signaling remains obscure, suggesting the existence of unrecognized circuits contributing to signal modulation in this pathway. Among these genes, leucine zipper-like transcriptional regulator 1 (LZTR1) encodes a functionally poorly characterized member of the BTB/POZ protein superfamily. Two classes of germline LZTR1 mutations underlie dominant and recessive forms of NS, while constitutional monoallelic, mostly inactivating, mutations in the same gene cause schwannomatosis, a cancer-prone disorder clinically distinct from NS. Here we show that dominant NS-causing LZTR1 mutations do not affect significantly protein stability and subcellular localization. We provide the first evidence that these mutations, but not the missense changes occurring as biallelic mutations in recessive NS, enhance stimulus-dependent RAS-MAPK signaling, which is triggered, at least in part, by an increased RAS protein pool. Moreover, we document that dominant NS-causing mutations do not perturb binding of LZTR1 to CUL3, a scaffold coordinating the assembly of a multimeric complex catalyzing protein ubiquitination but are predicted to affect the surface of the Kelch domain mediating substrate binding to the complex. Collectively, our data suggest a model in which LZTR1 contributes to the ubiquitinationof protein(s) functioning as positive modulator(s) of the RAS-MAPK signaling pathway. In this model, LZTR1 mutations are predicted to variably impair binding of these substrates to the multi-component ligase complex and their efficient ubiquitination and degradation, resulting in MAPK signaling upregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marialetizia Motta
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Miray Fidan
- Institute of Comparative Molecular Endocrinology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Emanuele Bellacchio
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Pantaleoni
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Simona Coppola
- National Centre for Rare Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Guntram Borck
- Institute of Human Genetics, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Leonardo Salviati
- Department of Pediatrics, Università degli Studi di Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Martin Zenker
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Ion C Cirstea
- Institute of Comparative Molecular Endocrinology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Marco Tartaglia
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
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15
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Huang Y, Zhao J, Mao G, Lee GS, Zhang J, Bi L, Gu L, Chang Z, Valentino J, Li GM. Identification of novel genetic variants predisposing to familial oral squamous cell carcinomas. Cell Discov 2019; 5:57. [PMID: 31798960 PMCID: PMC6877579 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-019-0126-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common subtype of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), but the pathogenesis underlying familial OSCCs is unknown. Here, we analyzed whole-genome sequences of a family with autosomal dominant expression of oral tongue cancer and identified proto-oncogenes VAV2 and IQGAP1 as the primary factors responsible for oral cancer in the family. These two genes are also frequently mutated in sporadic OSCCs and HNSCCs. Functional analysis revealed that the detrimental variants target tumorigenesis-associated pathways, thus confirming that these novel genetic variants help to establish a predisposition to familial OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaping Huang
- 1Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390 USA
| | - Jizhi Zhao
- 4Department of Stomatology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100730 China
| | - Guogen Mao
- 2Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536 USA
| | - Grace Sanghee Lee
- 2Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536 USA
| | - Jia Zhang
- 5Insititute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Lijun Bi
- 5Insititute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Liya Gu
- 1Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390 USA
| | - Zhijie Chang
- 6Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing, 100084 China
| | - Joseph Valentino
- 3Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536 USA
| | - Guo-Min Li
- 1Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390 USA.,2Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536 USA
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16
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Costigan DC, Dong F. The extended spectrum of RAS-MAPK pathway mutations in colorectal cancer. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2019; 59:152-159. [PMID: 31589789 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.22813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Current clinical guidelines recommend mutation analysis for select codons in KRAS and NRAS exons 2, 3, and 4 and BRAF V600E to guide therapy selection and prognostic stratification in advanced colorectal cancer. This study evaluates the impact of extended molecular testing on the detection of RAS-MAPK pathway mutations. Panel next-generation sequencing results of colorectal cancer specimens from 5795 individuals from the American Association for Cancer Research Project Genomics Evidence Neoplasia Information Exchange (AACR Project GENIE) were included. Mutations in RAS-MAPK pathway genes were analyzed and functionally annotated. Colorectal cancers had recurrent pathogenic pathway activating mutations in KRAS (44%), NRAS (4%), HRAS (<1%), BRAF (10%), MAP2K1 (1%), RAF1 (<1%), and PTPN11 (<1%). The proportion of colorectal cancers with pathogenic RAS pathway mutations was 37% when only KRAS codon 12 and 13 mutations were considered, 46% when also including select KRAS and NRAS exons 2, 3, and 4 mutations, 53% when including BRAF V600E mutations, and 56% when including all pathogenic mutations. Panel next-generation sequencing testing identifies additional RAS-MAPK pathway driver mutations beyond current guideline recommendations. These mutations have potential implications in treatment selection for patients with advanced colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle C Costigan
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Fei Dong
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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17
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Erickson KE, Rukhlenko OS, Posner RG, Hlavacek WS, Kholodenko BN. New insights into RAS biology reinvigorate interest in mathematical modeling of RAS signaling. Semin Cancer Biol 2019; 54:162-173. [PMID: 29518522 PMCID: PMC6123307 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2018.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
RAS is the most frequently mutated gene across human cancers, but developing inhibitors of mutant RAS has proven to be challenging. Given the difficulties of targeting RAS directly, drugs that impact the other components of pathways where mutant RAS operates may potentially be effective. However, the system-level features, including different localizations of RAS isoforms, competition between downstream effectors, and interlocking feedback and feed-forward loops, must be understood to fully grasp the opportunities and limitations of inhibiting specific targets. Mathematical modeling can help us discern the system-level impacts of these features in normal and cancer cells. New technologies enable the acquisition of experimental data that will facilitate development of realistic models of oncogenic RAS behavior. In light of the wealth of empirical data accumulated over decades of study and the advancement of experimental methods for gathering new data, modelers now have the opportunity to advance progress toward realization of targeted treatment for mutant RAS-driven cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keesha E Erickson
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA
| | - Oleksii S Rukhlenko
- Systems Biology Ireland, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Richard G Posner
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - William S Hlavacek
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA; University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Boris N Kholodenko
- Systems Biology Ireland, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Ireland; School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
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18
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Abstract
Background The protein energy landscape underscores the inherent nature of proteins as dynamic molecules interconverting between structures with varying energies. Reconstructing a protein’s energy landscape holds the key to characterizing a protein’s equilibrium conformational dynamics and its relationship to function. Many pathogenic mutations in protein sequences alter the equilibrium dynamics that regulates molecular interactions and thus protein function. In principle, reconstructing energy landscapes of a protein’s healthy and diseased variants is a central step to understanding how mutations impact dynamics, biological mechanisms, and function. Results Recent computational advances are yielding detailed, sample-based representations of protein energy landscapes. In this paper, we propose and describe two novel methods that leverage computed, sample-based representations of landscapes to reconstruct them and extract from them informative local structures that reveal the underlying organization of an energy landscape. Such structures constitute landscape features that, as we demonstrate here, can be utilized to detect alterations of landscapes upon mutation. Conclusions The proposed methods detect altered protein energy landscape features in response to sequence mutations. By doing so, the methods allow formulating hypotheses on the impact of mutations on specific biological activities of a protein. This work demonstrates that the availability of energy landscapes of healthy and diseased variants of a protein opens up new avenues to harness the quantitative information embedded in landscapes to summarize mechanisms via which mutations alter protein dynamics to percolate to dysfunction.
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19
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Pantaleoni F, Lev D, Cirstea IC, Motta M, Lepri FR, Bottero L, Cecchetti S, Linger I, Paolacci S, Flex E, Novelli A, Carè A, Ahmadian MR, Stellacci E, Tartaglia M. Aberrant HRAS transcript processing underlies a distinctive phenotype within the RASopathy clinical spectrum. Hum Mutat 2017; 38:798-804. [PMID: 28390077 DOI: 10.1002/humu.23224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2017] [Revised: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 04/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
RASopathies are a group of rare, clinically related conditions affecting development and growth, and are caused by germline mutations in genes encoding signal transducers and modulators with a role in the RAS signaling network. These disorders share facial dysmorphia, short stature, variable cognitive deficits, skeletal and cardiac defects, and a variable predisposition to malignancies. Here, we report on a de novo 10-nucleotide-long deletion in HRAS (c.481_490delGGGACCCTCT, NM_176795.4; p.Leu163ProfsTer52, NP_789765.1) affecting transcript processing as a novel event underlying a RASopathy characterized by developmental delay, intellectual disability and autistic features, distinctive coarse facies, reduced growth, and ectodermal anomalies. Molecular and biochemical studies demonstrated that the deletion promotes constitutive retention of exon IDX, which is generally skipped during HRAS transcript processing, and results in a stable and mildly hyperactive GDP/GTP-bound protein that is constitutively targeted to the plasma membrane. Our findings document a new mechanism leading to altered HRAS function that underlies a previously unappreciated phenotype within the RASopathy spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Pantaleoni
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Dorit Lev
- The Metabolic Neurogenetic Service, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel.,Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel
| | - Ion C Cirstea
- Institut für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie II, Medizinische Fakultät der Heinrich-Heine Universität, Dusseldorf, Germany.,Institute of Comparative Molecular Endocrinology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Marialetizia Motta
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Romana Lepri
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Lisabianca Bottero
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Serena Cecchetti
- Dipartimento di Biologia Cellulare e Neuroscienze, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilan Linger
- The Metabolic Neurogenetic Service, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel.,Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel
| | - Stefano Paolacci
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Flex
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Novelli
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Carè
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Mohammad R Ahmadian
- Institut für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie II, Medizinische Fakultät der Heinrich-Heine Universität, Dusseldorf, Germany
| | - Emilia Stellacci
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Tartaglia
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
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20
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Nakhaeizadeh H, Amin E, Nakhaei-Rad S, Dvorsky R, Ahmadian MR. The RAS-Effector Interface: Isoform-Specific Differences in the Effector Binding Regions. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0167145. [PMID: 27936046 PMCID: PMC5147862 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2016] [Accepted: 11/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
RAS effectors specifically interact with the GTP-bound form of RAS in response to extracellular signals and link them to downstream signaling pathways. The molecular nature of effector interaction by RAS is well-studied but yet still incompletely understood in a comprehensive and systematic way. Here, structure-function relationships in the interaction between different RAS proteins and various effectors were investigated in detail by combining our in vitro data with in silico data. Equilibrium dissociation constants were determined for the binding of HRAS, KRAS, NRAS, RRAS1 and RRAS2 to both the RAS binding (RB) domain of CRAF and PI3Kα, and the RAS association (RA) domain of RASSF5, RALGDS and PLCε, respectively, using fluorescence polarization. An interaction matrix, constructed on the basis of available crystal structures, allowed identification of hotspots as critical determinants for RAS-effector interaction. New insights provided by this study are the dissection of the identified hotspots in five distinct regions (R1 to R5) in spite of high sequence variability not only between, but also within, RB/RA domain-containing effectors proteins. Finally, we propose that intermolecular β-sheet interaction in R1 is a central recognition region while R3 may determine specific contacts of RAS versus RRAS isoforms with effectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Nakhaeizadeh
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty of the Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ehsan Amin
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty of the Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Saeideh Nakhaei-Rad
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty of the Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Radovan Dvorsky
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty of the Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Mohammad Reza Ahmadian
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty of the Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
- * E-mail:
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21
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Fang Z, Marshall CB, Yin JC, Mazhab-Jafari MT, Gasmi-Seabrook GMC, Smith MJ, Nishikawa T, Xu Y, Neel BG, Ikura M. Biochemical Classification of Disease-associated Mutants of RAS-like Protein Expressed in Many Tissues (RIT1). J Biol Chem 2016; 291:15641-52. [PMID: 27226556 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.714196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
RAS-like protein expressed in many tissues 1 (RIT1) is a disease-associated RAS subfamily small guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase). Recent studies revealed that germ-line and somatic RIT1 mutations can cause Noonan syndrome (NS), and drive proliferation of lung adenocarcinomas, respectively, akin to RAS mutations in these diseases. However, the locations of these RIT1 mutations differ significantly from those found in RAS, and do not affect the three mutational "hot spots" of RAS. Moreover, few studies have characterized the GTPase cycle of RIT1 and its disease-associated mutants. Here we developed a real-time NMR-based GTPase assay for RIT1 and investigated the effect of disease-associated mutations on GTPase cycle. RIT1 exhibits an intrinsic GTP hydrolysis rate similar to that of H-RAS, but its intrinsic nucleotide exchange rate is ∼4-fold faster, likely as a result of divergent residues near the nucleotide binding site. All of the disease-associated mutations investigated increased the GTP-loaded, activated state of RIT1 in vitro, but they could be classified into two groups with different intrinsic GTPase properties. The S35T, A57G, and Y89H mutants exhibited more rapid nucleotide exchange, whereas F82V and T83P impaired GTP hydrolysis. A RAS-binding domain pulldown assay indicated that RIT1 A57G and Y89H were highly activated in HEK293T cells, whereas T83P and F82V exhibited more modest activation. All five mutations are associated with NS, whereas two (A57G and F82V) have also been identified in urinary tract cancers and myeloid malignancies. Characterization of the effects on the GTPase cycle of RIT1 disease-associated mutations should enable better understanding of their role in disease processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenhao Fang
- From the Department of Medical Biophysics, Campbell Family Institute for Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Christopher B Marshall
- From the Department of Medical Biophysics, Campbell Family Institute for Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Jiani C Yin
- From the Department of Medical Biophysics, Campbell Family Institute for Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Mohammad T Mazhab-Jafari
- From the Department of Medical Biophysics, Campbell Family Institute for Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Geneviève M C Gasmi-Seabrook
- From the Department of Medical Biophysics, Campbell Family Institute for Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Matthew J Smith
- From the Department of Medical Biophysics, Campbell Family Institute for Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Tadateru Nishikawa
- From the Department of Medical Biophysics, Campbell Family Institute for Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Yang Xu
- From the Department of Medical Biophysics, Campbell Family Institute for Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Benjamin G Neel
- From the Department of Medical Biophysics, Campbell Family Institute for Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Mitsuhiko Ikura
- From the Department of Medical Biophysics, Campbell Family Institute for Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada
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22
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The role of the RAS pathway in iAMP21-ALL. Leukemia 2016; 30:1824-31. [PMID: 27168466 PMCID: PMC5017527 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2016.80] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2015] [Revised: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Intrachromosomal amplification of chromosome 21 (iAMP21) identifies a high-risk subtype of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), requiring intensive treatment to reduce their relapse risk. Improved understanding of the genomic landscape of iAMP21-ALL will ascertain whether these patients may benefit from targeted therapy. We performed whole-exome sequencing of eight iAMP21-ALL samples. The mutation rate was dramatically disparate between cases (average 24.9, range 5-51) and a large number of novel variants were identified, including frequent mutation of the RAS/MEK/ERK pathway. Targeted sequencing of a larger cohort revealed that 60% (25/42) of diagnostic iAMP21-ALL samples harboured 42 distinct RAS pathway mutations. High sequencing coverage demonstrated heterogeneity in the form of multiple RAS pathway mutations within the same sample and diverse variant allele frequencies (VAFs) (2-52%), similar to other subtypes of ALL. Constitutive RAS pathway activation was observed in iAMP21 samples that harboured mutations in the predominant clone (⩾35% VAF). Viable iAMP21 cells from primary xenografts showed reduced viability in response to the MEK1/2 inhibitor, selumetinib, in vitro. As clonal (⩾35% VAF) mutations were detected in 26% (11/42) of iAMP21-ALL, this evidence of response to RAS pathway inhibitors may offer the possibility to introduce targeted therapy to improve therapeutic efficacy in these high-risk patients.
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23
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Šolman M, Ligabue A, Blaževitš O, Jaiswal A, Zhou Y, Liang H, Lectez B, Kopra K, Guzmán C, Härmä H, Hancock JF, Aittokallio T, Abankwa D. Specific cancer-associated mutations in the switch III region of Ras increase tumorigenicity by nanocluster augmentation. eLife 2015; 4:e08905. [PMID: 26274561 PMCID: PMC4563131 DOI: 10.7554/elife.08905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Hotspot mutations of Ras drive cell transformation and tumorigenesis. Less frequent mutations in Ras are poorly characterized for their oncogenic potential. Yet insight into their mechanism of action may point to novel opportunities to target Ras. Here, we show that several cancer-associated mutations in the switch III region moderately increase Ras activity in all isoforms. Mutants are biochemically inconspicuous, while their clustering into nanoscale signaling complexes on the plasma membrane, termed nanocluster, is augmented. Nanoclustering dictates downstream effector recruitment, MAPK-activity, and tumorigenic cell proliferation. Our results describe an unprecedented mechanism of signaling protein activation in cancer. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.08905.001 Cancer is a disease that develops when cells within the body acquire genetic mutations that allow them to grow and divide rapidly. Many human cancers have mutations in a gene that encodes a protein called Ras, which promotes cell growth and division by controlling the activities of other proteins. Ras congregates at the membrane that surrounds the cell and can assemble into clusters (called nanoclusters) that each contain six to eight Ras proteins. The tight packing of the proteins in these nanoclusters increases the amount of Ras in the membrane locally, which allows Ras to interact with other proteins more efficiently to promote growth and cell division. In normal cells, other proteins control when Ras is active. However, in many cancer cells, Ras is active all the time due to mutations that occur in three ‘hotspots’ within its gene. Other mutations in the gene that encodes Ras are also found in cancer cells, but these are less common and it is not clear how they alter the activity of the protein. Here, Solman et al. used microscopy and biochemical techniques to study the effects of some of the less common mutations on Ras activity in human cells. The experiments show that several mutations that alter a region of Ras called the ‘switch III region’ moderately increase the activity of Ras. The mutations probably alter the way that Ras sits in the membrane, which in turn changes the way it interacts with other proteins and the membrane so that more Ras nanoclusters form. Solman et al.'s findings reveal a new way that Ras can be activated in cancer cells. The next challenge is to develop drugs that block the formation of Ras nanoclusters and to find out if they have the potential to be used to treat cancer. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.08905.002
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Šolman
- Turku Centre for Biotechnology, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Alessio Ligabue
- Turku Centre for Biotechnology, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Olga Blaževitš
- Turku Centre for Biotechnology, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Alok Jaiswal
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Yong Zhou
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, United States
| | - Hong Liang
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, United States
| | - Benoit Lectez
- Turku Centre for Biotechnology, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Kari Kopra
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Camilo Guzmán
- Turku Centre for Biotechnology, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Harri Härmä
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - John F Hancock
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, United States
| | - Tero Aittokallio
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Daniel Abankwa
- Turku Centre for Biotechnology, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
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24
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Abstract
A veritable explosion of primary research papers within the past 10 years focuses on nucleolar and ribosomal stress, and for good reason: with ribosome biosynthesis consuming ~80% of a cell’s energy, nearly all metabolic and signaling pathways lead ultimately to or from the nucleolus. We begin by describing p53 activation upon nucleolar stress resulting in cell cycle arrest or apoptosis. The significance of this mechanism cannot be understated, as oncologists are now inducing nucleolar stress strategically in cancer cells as a potential anti-cancer therapy. We also summarize the human ribosomopathies, syndromes in which ribosome biogenesis or function are impaired leading to birth defects or bone narrow failures; the perplexing problem in the ribosomopathies is why only certain cells are affected despite the fact that the causative mutation is systemic. We then describe p53-independent nucleolar stress, first in yeast which lacks p53, and then in other model metazoans that lack MDM2, the critical E3 ubiquitin ligase that normally inactivates p53. Do these presumably ancient p53-independent nucleolar stress pathways remain latent in human cells? If they still exist, can we use them to target >50% of known human cancers that lack functional p53?
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison James
- a Department of Biological Sciences; Louisiana State University; Baton Rouge, LA USA
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25
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Soussi T, Wiman KG. TP53: an oncogene in disguise. Cell Death Differ 2015; 22:1239-49. [PMID: 26024390 PMCID: PMC4495363 DOI: 10.1038/cdd.2015.53] [Citation(s) in RCA: 211] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2015] [Revised: 03/31/2015] [Accepted: 04/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The standard classification used to define the various cancer genes confines tumor protein p53 (TP53) to the role of a tumor suppressor gene. However, it is now an indisputable fact that many p53 mutants act as oncogenic proteins. This statement is based on multiple arguments including the mutation signature of the TP53 gene in human cancer, the various gains-of-function (GOFs) of the different p53 mutants and the heterogeneous phenotypes developed by knock-in mouse strains modeling several human TP53 mutations. In this review, we will shatter the classical and traditional image of tumor protein p53 (TP53) as a tumor suppressor gene by emphasizing its multiple oncogenic properties that make it a potential therapeutic target that should not be underestimated. Analysis of the data generated by the various cancer genome projects highlights the high frequency of TP53 mutations and reveals that several p53 hotspot mutants are the most common oncoprotein variants expressed in several types of tumors. The use of Muller's classical definition of mutations based on quantitative and qualitative consequences on the protein product, such as ‘amorph', ‘hypomorph', ‘hypermorph' ‘neomorph' or ‘antimorph', allows a more meaningful assessment of the consequences of cancer gene modifications, their potential clinical significance, and clearly demonstrates that the TP53 gene is an atypical cancer gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Soussi
- 1] Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Cancer Center Karolinska (CCK) R8:04, Stockholm SE-171 76, Sweden [2] Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Paris F-75005, France [3] INSERM, U1138, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France [4] Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - K G Wiman
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Cancer Center Karolinska (CCK) R8:04, Stockholm SE-171 76, Sweden
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26
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Nakhaei-Rad S, Nakhaeizadeh H, Kordes C, Cirstea IC, Schmick M, Dvorsky R, Bastiaens PIH, Häussinger D, Ahmadian MR. The Function of Embryonic Stem Cell-expressed RAS (E-RAS), a Unique RAS Family Member, Correlates with Its Additional Motifs and Its Structural Properties. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:15892-15903. [PMID: 25940089 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.640607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
E-RAS is a member of the RAS family specifically expressed in embryonic stem cells, gastric tumors, and hepatic stellate cells. Unlike classical RAS isoforms (H-, N-, and K-RAS4B), E-RAS has, in addition to striking and remarkable sequence deviations, an extended 38-amino acid-long unique N-terminal region with still unknown functions. We investigated the molecular mechanism of E-RAS regulation and function with respect to its sequence and structural features. We found that N-terminal extension of E-RAS is important for E-RAS signaling activity. E-RAS protein most remarkably revealed a different mode of effector interaction as compared with H-RAS, which correlates with deviations in the effector-binding site of E-RAS. Of all these residues, tryptophan 79 (arginine 41 in H-RAS), in the interswitch region, modulates the effector selectivity of RAS proteins from H-RAS to E-RAS features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeideh Nakhaei-Rad
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Hepatology, and Infectious Diseases, Medical Faculty of the Heinrich-Heine University, 40255 Düsseldorf
| | - Hossein Nakhaeizadeh
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Hepatology, and Infectious Diseases, Medical Faculty of the Heinrich-Heine University, 40255 Düsseldorf
| | - Claus Kordes
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Infectious Diseases, Medical Faculty of the Heinrich-Heine University, 40255 Düsseldorf
| | - Ion C Cirstea
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Hepatology, and Infectious Diseases, Medical Faculty of the Heinrich-Heine University, 40255 Düsseldorf; Leibniz Institute for Age Research-Fritz Lipmann Institute, 07745 Jena
| | - Malte Schmick
- Department of Systemic Cell Biology, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Radovan Dvorsky
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Hepatology, and Infectious Diseases, Medical Faculty of the Heinrich-Heine University, 40255 Düsseldorf
| | - Philippe I H Bastiaens
- Department of Systemic Cell Biology, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Dieter Häussinger
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Infectious Diseases, Medical Faculty of the Heinrich-Heine University, 40255 Düsseldorf
| | - Mohammad Reza Ahmadian
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Hepatology, and Infectious Diseases, Medical Faculty of the Heinrich-Heine University, 40255 Düsseldorf.
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Kapoor A, Travesset A. Differential dynamics of RAS isoforms in GDP- and GTP-bound states. Proteins 2015; 83:1091-106. [PMID: 25846136 DOI: 10.1002/prot.24805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Revised: 03/12/2015] [Accepted: 03/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
RAS subfamily proteins regulates cell growth promoting signaling processes by cycling between active (GTP-bound) and inactive (GDP-bound) states. Different RAS isoforms, though structurally similar, exhibit functional specificity and are associated with different types of cancers and developmental disorders. Understanding the dynamical differences between the isoforms is crucial for the design of inhibitors that can selectively target a particular malfunctioning isoform. In this study, we provide a comprehensive comparison of the dynamics of all the three RAS isoforms (HRAS, KRAS, and NRAS) using extensive molecular dynamics simulations in both the GDP- (total of 3.06 μs) and GTP-bound (total of 2.4 μs) states. We observed significant differences in the dynamics of the isoforms, which rather interestingly, varied depending on the type of the nucleotide bound and the simulation temperature. Both SwitchI (Residues 25-40) and SwitchII (Residues 59-75) differ significantly in their flexibility in the three isoforms. Furthermore, Principal Component Analysis showed that there are differences in the conformational space sampled by the GTP-bound RAS isoforms. We also identified a previously unreported pocket, which opens transiently during MD simulations, and can be targeted to regulate nucleotide exchange reaction or possibly interfere with membrane localization. Further, we present the first simulation study showing GDP destabilization in the wild-type RAS protein. The destabilization of GDP/GTP occurred only in 1/50 simulations, emphasizing the need of guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) to accelerate such an extremely unfavorable process. This observation along with the other results presented in this article further support our previously hypothesized mechanism of GEF-assisted nucleotide exchange.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhijeet Kapoor
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, 50011
| | - Alex Travesset
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, 50011
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28
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Laskar RS, Ghosh SK, Talukdar FR. Rectal cancer profiling identifies distinct subtypes in India based on age at onset, genetic, epigenetic and clinicopathological characteristics. Mol Carcinog 2014; 54:1786-95. [PMID: 25418895 DOI: 10.1002/mc.22250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2014] [Revised: 09/26/2014] [Accepted: 10/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Rectal cancer is a heterogeneous disease that develops through multiple pathways characterized by genetic and epigenetic alterations. India has a comparatively higher proportion of rectal cancers and early-onset cases. We analyzed genetic (KRAS, TP53 and BRAF mutations, and MSI), epigenetic alterations (CpG island methylation detection of 10 tumor-related genes/loci), the associated clinicopathological features and survival trend in 80 primary rectal cancer patients from India. MSI was detected using BAT 25 and BAT 26 mononucleotide markers and mutation of KRAS, TP53, and BRAF V600E was detected by direct sequencing. Methyl specific polymerase chain reaction was used to determine promoter methylation status of the classic CIMP panel markers (P16, hMLH1, MINT1, MINT2, and MINT31) as well as other tumor specific genes (DAPK, RASSF1, BRCA1, and GSTP1). MSI and BRAF mutations were uncommon but high frequencies of overall KRAS mutations (67.5%); low KRAS codon 12 and a novel KRAS G15S mutation with concomitant RASSF1 methylation in early onset cases were remarkable. Hierarchical clustering as well as principal component analysis identified three distinct subgroups of patients having discrete age at onset, clinicopathological, molecular and survival characteristics: (i) a KRAS associated CIMP-high subgroup; (ii) a significantly younger MSS, CIMP low, TP53 mutant group having differential KRAS mutation patterns, and (iii) a CIMP-negative, TP53 mutated group. The early onset subgroup exhibited the most unfavorable disease characteristics with advanced stage, poorly differentiated tumors and had the poorest survival compared to the other subgroups. Genetic and epigenetic profiling of rectal cancer patients identified distinct subtypes in Indian population.
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29
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Naser WM, Shawarby MA, Al-Tamimi DM, Seth A, Al-Quorain A, Nemer AMA, Albagha OME. Novel KRAS gene mutations in sporadic colorectal cancer. PLoS One 2014; 9:e113350. [PMID: 25412182 PMCID: PMC4239073 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2014] [Accepted: 10/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction In this article, we report 7 novel KRAS gene mutations discovered while retrospectively studying the prevalence and pattern of KRAS mutations in cancerous tissue obtained from 56 Saudi sporadic colorectal cancer patients from the Eastern Province. Methods Genomic DNA was extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded cancerous and noncancerous colorectal tissues. Successful and specific PCR products were then bi-directionally sequenced to detect exon 4 mutations while Mutector II Detection Kits were used for identifying mutations in codons 12, 13 and 61. The functional impact of the novel mutations was assessed using bioinformatics tools and molecular modeling. Results KRAS gene mutations were detected in the cancer tissue of 24 cases (42.85%). Of these, 11 had exon 4 mutations (19.64%). They harbored 8 different mutations all of which except two altered the KRAS protein amino acid sequence and all except one were novel as revealed by COSMIC database. The detected novel mutations were found to be somatic. One mutation is predicted to be benign. The remaining mutations are predicted to cause substantial changes in the protein structure. Of these, the Q150X nonsense mutation is the second truncating mutation to be reported in colorectal cancer in the literature. Conclusions Our discovery of novel exon 4 KRAS mutations that are, so far, unique to Saudi colorectal cancer patients may be attributed to environmental factors and/or racial/ethnic variations due to genetic differences. Alternatively, it may be related to paucity of clinical studies on mutations other than those in codons 12, 13, 61 and 146. Further KRAS testing on a large number of patients of various ethnicities, particularly beyond the most common hotspot alleles in exons 2 and 3 is needed to assess the prevalence and explore the exact prognostic and predictive significance of the discovered novel mutations as well as their possible role in colorectal carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walid M. Naser
- Molecular Diagnostics Lab, Department of Laboratory Medicine, King Fahd Hospital of the University, University of Dammam, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed A. Shawarby
- Pathology Department, College of Medicine, University of Dammam, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
- * E-mail:
| | - Dalal M. Al-Tamimi
- Pathology Department, College of Medicine, University of Dammam, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Arun Seth
- Molecular Diagnostics, Department of Anatomic Pathology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Abdulaziz Al-Quorain
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Dammam, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Areej M. Al Nemer
- Pathology Department, College of Medicine, University of Dammam, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Omar M. E. Albagha
- Rheumatology Section, Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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30
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Flex E, Jaiswal M, Pantaleoni F, Martinelli S, Strullu M, Fansa EK, Caye A, De Luca A, Lepri F, Dvorsky R, Pannone L, Paolacci S, Zhang SC, Fodale V, Bocchinfuso G, Rossi C, Burkitt-Wright EMM, Farrotti A, Stellacci E, Cecchetti S, Ferese R, Bottero L, Castro S, Fenneteau O, Brethon B, Sanchez M, Roberts AE, Yntema HG, Van Der Burgt I, Cianci P, Bondeson ML, Cristina Digilio M, Zampino G, Kerr B, Aoki Y, Loh ML, Palleschi A, Di Schiavi E, Carè A, Selicorni A, Dallapiccola B, Cirstea IC, Stella L, Zenker M, Gelb BD, Cavé H, Ahmadian MR, Tartaglia M. Activating mutations in RRAS underlie a phenotype within the RASopathy spectrum and contribute to leukaemogenesis. Hum Mol Genet 2014; 23:4315-27. [PMID: 24705357 PMCID: PMC4103678 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddu148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2013] [Accepted: 03/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
RASopathies, a family of disorders characterized by cardiac defects, defective growth, facial dysmorphism, variable cognitive deficits and predisposition to certain malignancies, are caused by constitutional dysregulation of RAS signalling predominantly through the RAF/MEK/ERK (MAPK) cascade. We report on two germline mutations (p.Gly39dup and p.Val55Met) in RRAS, a gene encoding a small monomeric GTPase controlling cell adhesion, spreading and migration, underlying a rare (2 subjects among 504 individuals analysed) and variable phenotype with features partially overlapping Noonan syndrome, the most common RASopathy. We also identified somatic RRAS mutations (p.Gly39dup and p.Gln87Leu) in 2 of 110 cases of non-syndromic juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia, a childhood myeloproliferative/myelodysplastic disease caused by upregulated RAS signalling, defining an atypical form of this haematological disorder rapidly progressing to acute myeloid leukaemia. Two of the three identified mutations affected known oncogenic hotspots of RAS genes and conferred variably enhanced RRAS function and stimulus-dependent MAPK activation. Expression of an RRAS mutant homolog in Caenorhabditis elegans enhanced RAS signalling and engendered protruding vulva, a phenotype previously linked to the RASopathy-causing SHOC2(S2G) mutant. Overall, these findings provide evidence of a functional link between RRAS and MAPK signalling and reveal an unpredicted role of enhanced RRAS function in human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Flex
- Dipartimento di Ematologia, Oncologia e Medicina Molecolare and
| | - Mamta Jaiswal
- Institut für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie II, Medizinische Fakultät der Heinrich-Heine Universitat, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
| | | | | | - Marion Strullu
- Genetics Department, INSERM UMR_S940, Institut Universitaire D'Hématologie (IUH), Université Paris-Diderot Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, Paris 75010, France
| | - Eyad K Fansa
- Institut für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie II, Medizinische Fakultät der Heinrich-Heine Universitat, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
| | - Aurélie Caye
- Genetics Department, INSERM UMR_S940, Institut Universitaire D'Hématologie (IUH), Université Paris-Diderot Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, Paris 75010, France
| | - Alessandro De Luca
- Laboratorio Mendel, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico-Casa Sollievo Della Sofferenza, Rome 00198, Italy
| | | | - Radovan Dvorsky
- Institut für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie II, Medizinische Fakultät der Heinrich-Heine Universitat, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
| | - Luca Pannone
- Dipartimento di Ematologia, Oncologia e Medicina Molecolare and
| | | | - Si-Cai Zhang
- Institut für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie II, Medizinische Fakultät der Heinrich-Heine Universitat, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
| | | | - Gianfranco Bocchinfuso
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche, Università 'Tor Vergata', Rome 00133, Italy
| | - Cesare Rossi
- UO Genetica Medica, Policlinico S.Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Emma M M Burkitt-Wright
- Genetic Medicine, Academic Health Science Centre, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester M13 9WL, UK
| | - Andrea Farrotti
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche, Università 'Tor Vergata', Rome 00133, Italy
| | | | - Serena Cecchetti
- Dipartimento di Biologia Cellulare e Neuroscienze, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Rosangela Ferese
- Laboratorio Mendel, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico-Casa Sollievo Della Sofferenza, Rome 00198, Italy
| | | | - Silvana Castro
- Istituto di Genetica e Biofisica 'A. Buzzati Traverso', Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, Naples 80131, Italy
| | | | - Benoît Brethon
- Pediatric Hematology Department, Robert Debré Hospital, Paris 75019, France
| | - Massimo Sanchez
- Dipartimento di Biologia Cellulare e Neuroscienze, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Amy E Roberts
- Department of Cardiology and Division of Genetics, and Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Helger G Yntema
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Centre, and Nijmegen Centre for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen 6500, The Netherlands
| | - Ineke Van Der Burgt
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Centre, and Nijmegen Centre for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen 6500, The Netherlands
| | - Paola Cianci
- Genetica Clinica Pediatrica, Clinica Pediatrica Università Milano Bicocca, Fondazione MBBM, A.O. S. Gerardo, Monza 20900, Italy
| | - Marie-Louise Bondeson
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala 75237, Sweden
| | | | - Giuseppe Zampino
- Istituto di Clinica Pediatrica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Bronwyn Kerr
- Genetic Medicine, Academic Health Science Centre, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester M13 9WL, UK
| | - Yoko Aoki
- Department of Medical Genetics, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8574, Japan
| | - Mignon L Loh
- Department of Pediatrics, Benioff Children's Hospital, University of California School of Medicine, and the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Antonio Palleschi
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche, Università 'Tor Vergata', Rome 00133, Italy
| | - Elia Di Schiavi
- Istituto di Genetica e Biofisica 'A. Buzzati Traverso', Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Alessandra Carè
- Dipartimento di Ematologia, Oncologia e Medicina Molecolare and
| | - Angelo Selicorni
- Genetica Clinica Pediatrica, Clinica Pediatrica Università Milano Bicocca, Fondazione MBBM, A.O. S. Gerardo, Monza 20900, Italy
| | | | - Ion C Cirstea
- Institut für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie II, Medizinische Fakultät der Heinrich-Heine Universitat, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany, Leibniz Institute for Age Research, Jena 07745, Germany
| | - Lorenzo Stella
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche, Università 'Tor Vergata', Rome 00133, Italy
| | - Martin Zenker
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital of Magdeburg, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg 39120, Germany
| | - Bruce D Gelb
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Genetics and Department of Genomic Sciences, Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Hélène Cavé
- Genetics Department, INSERM UMR_S940, Institut Universitaire D'Hématologie (IUH), Université Paris-Diderot Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, Paris 75010, France
| | - Mohammad R Ahmadian
- Institut für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie II, Medizinische Fakultät der Heinrich-Heine Universitat, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
| | - Marco Tartaglia
- Dipartimento di Ematologia, Oncologia e Medicina Molecolare and
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